Loving Vincent

“Loving Vincent” was co-written and co-directed by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman and includes in its cast Saoirse Ronan and Chris O’Dowd who appear, as do all of the other “actors” in this unique film as characters from the paintings and works of Vincent Van Gogh. Utilizing the services of 100 artists the paintings of the great Van Gogh come to life in this, for want of a better word, animation of his subjects, landscapes, flowers and starry starry skies. However, and in addition to this  unorthodox film, it also  attempts to solve the mystery as to how this artist died. Van Gogh, who painted over 800 works of art in his short life (and sold only 1while he was alive) is an intriguing subject and the filmmakers waste no time or footage in exploring his complicated and troubled existence. I give the film 3 and ½ stars and urge all who have any appreciation of the work of Vincent Van Gogh and who are ready to allow themselves the pleasure of an extraordinary theatrical experience to see the film.