Lust for Life (DVD, 2006)

The VHS version of "Lust for Life" came out in 1956! So this DVD is an antique portrayal by a young Kirk Douglas of deranged and socially outcast painter Vincent Van Gogh. I don't suppose that too many people remember that Van Gogh was a failure as an evangelist, but this is the highlight of the first part of the show and part of what made him a social outcast and added to his deep depression. He wanted to feel useful. So he became a painter, rather by accident, with his brother Theo (Jame Donald) encouraging and financing him to be a credible artist.

It is in the late 19th century when Parisian impressionists were beginning to alter the art world. Van Gogh was not exposed to their paintings until after he'd completed many that went unnoticed. Abusive and arrogating artist, Paul Gauguin (Anthony Hopkins) viewed Van Gogh as a genius, and moved in with him to mentor him. However, Van Gogh was seriously disabled with epilepsy and mental disorders that frequently made him go out of control. (This was prior to the 20th century break throughs that Sigmund Freud et al ushered in to the psychiatric world). While Van Gogh was locked up in a sanitarium, he created the bulk of his most famous art. After his release from the Sanitarium, he was still considered a social outcast and never received acclaims for his artistic brilliance while he was alive. Thus, I would call this fine film a tragedy.

Vincennte Minnelli directed this film, an adaptation by Norman Corwin of Irving Stone's best seller. If you like Van Gogh's paintings here's your chance to see them.