The Painting: The Art of Slaying

I watch many, many movies, and this is the first one I have seen this year that I would give a 10. Loved it. Basically, it is equal parts Shaun of the Dead, the Picture of Dorian Gray and a rather sarcastic lob at Los Angeles "high culture." The basic premise is obvious: Talentless alcoholic dandy uses talented, but poor, painters to help build his career in the shadow of his famous father. The morality play part of this is also obvious: that he eventually falls prey to his own fraud. That said, this movie has such a good time getting there that lack of originality on that score is not a defect, but rather a feature that allows this film to show its fun side. Mollohan ("Edward") is almost perfect in the main role: slimy, arrogant, puerile and pathetic. But also engaging. And Ivet Corea gives him a run for the over-the-top award in her role as "Maria."

In addition to some fine writing and acting, there are also a lot of really clever allusions included (to the painter Magritte, to Wilde's original play, etc.). I was particularly struck by the manner in which "revenge" is done through the introduction of Maria. I won't spoil it here; but her introduction to the film is both hilarious and very well thought out. Very highly recommended.