(spoiler free)
Stanley Tucci is without a doubt one of my favourite actors working in film today. His performances always add quality to whatever picture he is starring in and sometimes are even the best thing about them! However, ‘Final Portrait’ was to be my first experience of the writer & director Stanley Tucci rather than the actor. The film focuses on artist Alberto Giacometti as he paints a portrait of writer James Lord.
The film is incredibly well cast with both lead actors holding a striking resemblance to the real life men that they are portraying. Giacometti is played by the brilliant Geoffrey Rush. Rush brings a wonderful eccentricity to the role which goes a long way in making his character entertaining. However, Rush also skillfully manages the more subtle nuances to his character wonderfully indicating a much more troubled individual. Alongside Rush the film stars Armie Hammer as Lord who spends the majority of the running time posing for his portrait. Hammer is a charismatic performer and works well as the main character who navigates audiences through the story. He often acts as a vessel for the feelings the viewers are experiencing. This is useful in avoiding potential irritation with the narrative. The fact that someone on screen is feeling these same frustrations is a crucial factor in the success of the film. The supporting cast all perform well too, contributing vital plot developments and character development mainly for Giacometti.
Whilst the performances are impressive and quite layered the story is rather simplistic. The film rarely deviates from the actual painting of the portrait. Consequently this story is at least initially quite slow moving and for some the whole film might feel like this. At first it’s rather sparse on dialogue too but thankfully this picks up with the inclusion of some light comedy in between brush strokes. The inclusion of this humour is essential for breaking up the rather repetitive narrative, the cause of the previously discussed potential frustrations. Although due to the amusing performances and this comedy the film becomes somewhat enjoyably monotonous, if that’s even a possibility!?
I’m impressed that through his writing & directing Tucci has brought life to what could have been a somewhat dull cinematic experience. The incredibly simplistic story is complemented by it’s two lead performers and the often humourous chemistry that they create. Regardless of this ‘Final Portrait’ won’t do enough to stimulate some viewers simply not having enough variation within it’s content to hold their attention. However, I found this brief and isolated insight into the artist Alberto Giacometti to be a welcome change from a birth to death style biopic. Furthermore, for those willing to have the patience of subject James Lord there’s definite enjoyment to be had.
Rating – 7/10
Question: What is your favourite Geoffrey Rush film performance?
(Leave your answers in the comments section below!)
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