Girl With a Pearl Earring

Beauty is the basis of Peter Webber's "Girl With a Pearl Earring," an adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's novel. Set in 17th century Holland, the film suggests a fictional setting and circumstance for Johannes Vermeer's real-life painting of the titular masterpiece.

While the true identity of the artwork's subject is unknown, the film creates Griet (Scarlett Johansson) as the pure, innocent and lovely inspiration for the painting. Griet is a peasant girl, who is sent to work as a maid for the Vermeer family. Unwelcome by Vermeer's mistress Catharina (Essie Davis), Griet enters into a world of obedience, silence and hard work.

Colin Firth plays Vermeer, an artist who is quiet and serious when it comes to his work, but sympathetic to those around him. Vermeer is immediately drawn to Griet, allowing her to view his artwork, aid in the paint-making process and defending her against his own daughter. Vermeer's longing glances and kind temperament create suspicion by his family and scandalous attraction between the two.

The need for money is a large obstacle for the two leads. Not only is Griet poor, making her loyalty to the family necessary, but Vermeer's household also encounters monetary distress as well. Van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), commissions Vermeer to paint his wife, a group painting and, ultimately, Griet's portrait.

Ruijven is a shady character, exclaiming to Vermeer, "You've glazed my wife in dry piss." Even Ruijven's advances toward Griet are not reprimanded, as Vermeer must remain loyal to his benefactor. There is simply so much to lose.

The conflict surrounds the triangular relationship between Vermeer, his wife and Griet. Although Vermeer and his wife appear passionate as she becomes impregnated, Vermeer also appears to lust after Griet. Although subdued, each encounter between Vermeer and Griet is powerful and sensual. Vermeer places his hands on hers to grind ingredients, holding her head while piercing her ear, and gazes at her long, lush hair.

Jealousy consumes Catharina, who distrusts her husband and Griet. The completion of the painting brings diverse reactions as well. Griet admits to Vermeer, "you looked inside me" while Catharina angrily announces, "it's obscene."

Even though the film contains little action, beauty and seduction run rampant. A world is introduced in which art is powerful enough to nearly destroy a person's life. A simple look or gesture has a magnified effect, one that is exaggerated by Catharina's temperament and Griet's nervous innocence.

There is allure in Vermeer's voyeurism, and it's more pornographic than would be a partial view of a pair consummating.

While the true artwork is delightful to the eye, the film is another expression of aesthetic magnificence. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra indulges in the beauty of Holland during Griet's escapades with love interest Pieter (Cillian Murphy) the butcher. Sprawling landscapes filled with wildlife, and canals scattered with boats ease the viewer's eye and beautifully portray Holland's splendor.

"Girl With a Pearl Earring" is an original and surprising film, one that focuses largely on human interaction and emotion rather than action. Each element, including direction, superior acting and cinematography, creates a film that is - as a whole - astounding.