Amazon.com essential video: Lust for Life is appropriately titled, for mere passion seems inadequate when describing this superb fictionalized biography (based on Irving Stone's popular novel) of Vincent Van Gogh. In a deservedly Oscar®- nominated performance, Kirk Douglas is physically and emotionally perfect as the tormented Dutch painter, whose life is chronicled from his ill-fated stint as a preacher to Belgian miners in 1878, to his Impressionist-inspired artistic awakening and psychological descent to suicide in 1890. Having triumphed with 1952's The Bad and the Beautiful, Douglas, producer John Houseman, and director Vincente Minnelli brought vigor and vitality to this blessed project, which centers on Van Gogh's stormy friendship with fellow artist Gaugin (Oscar-winner Anthony Quinn). Minnelli used an outmoded color film process and innovative camera techniques to vividly recreate Van Gogh's paintings, and he filmed on the actual Dutch and French locations where Van Gogh's mastery flourished. The artist's lust for life also fed his madness, and this film deeply understands the fine line in between. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Lust for Life (Movie)
Excellent portrayal of the life of Vincent Van Gogh. With the inclusion of Van Gogh's actual work, it is a visual delight.
Rating: - Kirk Douglas' Performance Of A Lifetime
People rightly cite Dustin Hoffman and Robert DeNiro as thespians who impressively invest their all in the portrayals of the characters they are bringing to life, but I honestly think one of the actors most overlooked for his capacity to deliver an intense transformation is Kirk Douglas. To prove this, all anyone need ever do is to partake of the engrossing, frequently wounding, experience of viewing Vincente Minnelli's 1956 masterpiece, Lust For Life. As Douglas channels the tormented soul of the tragic artist Vincent Van Gogh, Minnelli's camera pans across the strikingly gorgeous countryside ... Read More
Rating: - You look too fast!
The above title was my favorite line from Lust For Life. Without a doubt Kirk Douglases' finest performance. Vincente Minelli definitely did his homework on Van Gogh for this film.
While watching it, I couldn't help but think of Don McCleans' song 'Vincent' a moving tribute to the tortured artist. Actually, that song would have been a good contribution to the DVD's director commentary.
Rating: - I can't take this anymore!
I gave this film a watch recently, after a period of about 12 years. I am still impressed by Kirk Douglas. He is DEFINITELY one of Hollywood's best actors! In "Lust For Life", he may very well have done his best work. Of course, he can't be ignored with his portrayal of Spartacus, but there is more accurate historical reference in regards to Vincent Van Gogh. That Van Gogh was mentally ill is irrefutable. It is curious, that civilization still has no place for people with Van Gogh's "condition".
The see-saw highs and lows that Van Gogh experienced were convincingly portrayed by Douglas. ... Read More
Rating: - Lust for Life
The condition was as described by the vendor and was delivered in a timely fashion.
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