Girl with a Pearl Earring (VHS, 2004)

Set in 17th-century Holland, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING follows the life of Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a young woman who must work as a maid to help her family make ends meet. Seeking employment at the home of renowned painter Johannes Vermeer (Colin Firth), Griet finds most of the household, including Vermeer's ever-pregnant wife (Essie Davis) and stern mother-in-law (Judy Parfitt), to be difficult and even hostile. However, she does form a unique bond with Vermeer himself, but this connection threatens to cause grief for both Griet and Vermeer. Complicating matters even further is attention from both Vermeer's wealthy patron Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson) and the charming local butcher's son (Cillian Murphy).Adapted from the book by Tracy Chevalier and helmed by first-time director Peter Webber, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING creates a back story for Vermeer's famous painting of the same name. Johansson is excellent in her quiet, understated role, while Firth is suitably moody and enigmatic. However, the visuals are the true highlights of this remarkably photographed movie; Webber and, most notably, cinematographer Eduardo Serra establish a beautifully historic look and film every scene as if it were a series of gorgeous paintings in the style of that era. As a portrait of the life behind a portrait, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is an intriguing study of both art and desire.