Added to Prime Video on Thursday, Feb 29, 2024 At Eternity’s Gate offers an intimate exploration into the tumultuous and creative final years of Vincent van Gogh’s life. Set against the picturesque landscapes of Arles and Auvers-sur-Oise, France, the movie explore van Gogh’s struggles with mental illness, his profound relationship with fellow artist Paul Gauguin, and his relentless pursuit of capturing the essence of the world around him through his art. Despite facing criticism and skepticism, van Gogh’s dedication to his craft and his unique perspective on eternity and existence are depicted, offering a fresh insight into the mind of the tortured artist.
Length: 1h 50m
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
This Title is: Thought-Provoking and Introspective
At Eternity’s Gate is New on Prime Video in Canada!
Trailer
Cast
- Willem Dafoe as Vincent van Gogh
- Rupert Friend as Theo van Gogh
- Oscar Isaac as Paul Gauguin
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: PG-13
Contains mild violence, a brief scene depicting nudity in art, mild profanity, and scenes of smoking and drinking. It also includes intense scenes that may be unsettling, such as the depiction of van Gogh’s mental illness struggles, including the act of him cutting off his ear, and his eventual tragic death, though these are not graphically shown.
Trivia
- The movie was shot over 38 days on location in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, and Auvers-sur-Oise, France, where van Gogh lived during his final years.
- Willem Dafoe, who plays van Gogh, shares his middle name with the artist.
- Mark Wotton served as the special makeup effects designer, contributing to the film’s authentic period look.
Our Review
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“At Eternity’s Gate” is a film that has sparked a wide range of opinions, from high praise for its artistic approach and Willem Dafoe’s performance as Vincent van Gogh, to criticism for its unconventional narrative and cinematography techniques. Julian Schnabel’s direction aims to immerse viewers in van Gogh’s world, employing close-ups and a shaky camera to reflect the painter’s intense and turbulent inner life. This method, while innovative, has divided audiences and critics alike; some find it a profound visual and emotional experience that closely aligns with the subject’s perspective, whereas others see it as distracting and disorienting, detracting from the narrative coherence and emotional engagement.
Despite these polarized views, Dafoe’s portrayal is widely acclaimed, earning him nominations for his deep and compelling embodiment of the troubled artist. The movie’s storytelling, while not linear or conventional, attempts to convey van Gogh’s artistic process and his struggles with mental illness in a manner that some viewers have found deeply moving and others have found confusing. The visual style is praised for its boldness and its attempts to replicate van Gogh’s vibrant palette and brushwork, creating a visually stunning experience that some argue succeeds in bringing the artist’s work to life.
Overall, “At Eternity’s Gate” offers a unique lens on the life of one of history’s most famous painters, one that is as much an interpretation as it is a depiction. While not universally loved, it provides a notable example of how cinema can explore the intersection of art, artist, and madness, leaving an indelible impression on those who connect with its vision.”
Critic Scores
At Eternity’s Gate has received a great review by the critics.
