Based on the best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier, this much-loved tale is brought splendidly to life by a fine cast, unravelling the mystery behind one of Dutch master Johannes Vermeer’s most celebrated paintings.

Scarlet Johansson plays 17-year-old Greet, who is forced by poverty and family tragedy to work as a maid for the wealthy and renowned Vermeer family.  She is a young innocent soul, always conscious of her surroundings and eager to learn.  She is the servant. 

Her master Vermeer (Colin Firth), a talented artist, who is running out of clients to sell his paintings to.  The added pressure of his jealous pregnant wife and clan of children proves too much for him to handle.  He teaches Greet the skill of mixing paint, of seeing what he sees when he paints and introduces her to a new way of looking at life. 

Greet becomes romantically involved with the local butcher’s boy but somehow thinks that if her master is so fond of her, then the butcher’s son is not what she wants.  But Vermeer’s children grow spiteful; his wife even more so and soon, Greet is despised by all, even by the other household servants.

Intimacy grows.  Master and servant draw closer.  Greet even takes off her never-removed scarf from her head to reveal her hair for the first time to a man.  Something, which she does not do for the butcher’s boy.  The scenery, setting and music make this film all the more sensual and enjoyable.  Whilst the tale is one that is familiar, the cast, wonderful directing and beautiful heart-felt moments make this film certainly a gem.
(5/5)

Release date: 31 May 2004

Girl With A Pearl Earring