Painter

The positives far outweigh the negatives in this trim little offering from a new writer/director. Very sturdy performances from good actors provided with blunt, at times funny, and taught dialogue. A drama more than a thriller, but twisty-turny and unfurling. An adept hand behind the camera. Thousands of lovely ideas on the screen, well composed, always lovely to look at.

This is an adolescent film with an adolescent script and adolescent opinions about art. The acting is horrendous. The story is predictable. The premise is just plain embarassing. Don't bother, and don't fall for the marketing spam masquerading is 10/10 reviews under this title.

I agree with some other reviews on here, this is not for everyone. But it was for me (and my son who I watched it with - he's an artist). Very compelling. We loved it.

Make no mistake PAINTER is a modern film ... but within this very colorful, modern film, director CORY WEXLER GRANT has blended elements of film noir and horror movies from the cinema's past which make PAINTER a highly engaging, extremely enjoyable hybrid of a film. PAINTER takes place within the flamboyant, esoteric world of art. Mr. Grant, with uncanny precision, has detailed the beauty, excitement, frivolity, self absorption, worship of the dollar, and the undercurrent of corruption that runs through the modern art gallery. In telling the story of Aldis Browne, a young painter on a bizarre journey from anonymity to celebrity, Mr. Grant introduces and examines themes such as: What is the passion that drives some individuals to create? Why is that passion so seductive? How is it that some artists capture the imagination of the public and others do not? What are the boundaries between artists and their aficionados? A truly gripping and provocative film, worthy of multiple viewings. I recommend it highly.

So, so good. This is smart and beautiful. Surprisingly, darkly funny. Mwah! Bella!