O Mestre da Vida

Most of the time when I see a film, I instantly forget about it the minute I walk out the theater door. This movie is different. It's been three weeks now since I've seen "Local Color" and I can't stop thinking about it. There are scenes so poignant that I can still hear the dialogue echoing in my head. There's a scene in particular early on in the film when the old painter looks up to the sky and asks his young protégé, "What color are the clouds? You think that they're white, but look again". Since seeing this film, I too find myself looking around me, analyzing the color and beautiful nuances of life. This film has honestly changed the way I look at things.

Furthermore, this film is very funny. The humor is very human and it takes you by surprise. I laughed out loud a lot. I love this film.

I worked in post on Local Color. I took the job at a greatly reduced fee. I must have cried 10 times watching the rough cut with no music. Afterwards, I felt like telling the producers I would work for free on this one, but, alas, I couldn't afford to do so. This is one of the most moving films I have every seen. Tears of joy come to me every time I even think about or tell some one of this film (and as I write). I am a musician and artist. The ideas of this film resonate so deeply within me that I felt that I could have written it myself. I was told that Armin, after much urging, came out of retirement to do this. Having read the script he said "This is what I've always wanted to say". As for those who posted so negatively on this film, remember, right at the beginning of the film - "You are warned, this is not a story for cynics". Yes, it is sentimental, but the film defends that too. Sentiment and art are what make us human.

Best film of the year in my opinion. I hope it gets wide distribution since it is being offered by a small independent producer with excellent credentials, George Gallo. Mr Gallo previously wrote "Wise Guys", "Midnight Run" and his best previous effort "29th Street". This is his best yet. Local Color is a sensitive film with outstanding art, color, and photography. Actor Armin Mueller-Stahl is especially good in his role. The premise of the film is that a young artist wants an "old master" to give him lessons and the old man is not a "touchy-feely" kind of teacher. Plot turns are unexpected and the ending is especially well done (many other options could have been used).

It has been a long time since I have seen a movie with as much integrity and honesty. As the writer so aptly states in the opening of the movie: this is a movie for romantics not critics.

When I hear someone trash a film or is angry about something the first question I ask is "what are they afraid of?". It IS easy to be cavalier and self serving. It is much more difficult to truly speak from the heart.

The characters are real...the performances excellent. The script is brilliant. There are so many gems...words of wisdom that it is hard to remember them all.

What I like most about this movie is that it is completely unapologetic. It takes courage to let it all hang out.

Perhaps if our culture was more in tune with nature and less about cynicism and ego we would all be better off.

I would highly recommend this movie to everyone.

I have now seen this movie 5 times and I will bet that I will see it five more. This movie for me was a validation of a life time of conviction about the state of modern art and how it has consistently suppressed the simple idea that nature and beauty still do matter.

I have gone to art school and I have seen how modern art schools can be so destructive in the nurturing of classically minded artists. And at the end of the day we wonder where the hell is art going.

For me this movie rekindled my love and passion for painting and ultimately reminded me of all those wonderful teachers who selflessly gave and encouraged me not to stop my journey. There is so much in John Talia's character that I related to, and I am sure a great deal more to Armin's.

Every frame in the movie for me looked like it was composed by an artist, only later to find out that it was. Anyone who admires the art of the great American Pennsylvania and dutch movement, will take away so much from this movie. You can see the influence of Andrew Wyeth and the Brandywine school on the director.

George Gallo is as masterful a story teller as he is an artist. His attention to composition of every frame and his sincere dialogue and very real character development, make this a guy to watch. I can't wait until his next picture.

I was very moved by the entire experience.

This movie gets five stars and 2 thumbs up from me.