User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 46
  2. Negative: 7 out of 46

Review this movie

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Luis
    Jul 22, 2004
    The only good feature of this film would be the "Vermeer lighting", if it hadn't been used to excess. Beautiful effects, but too artificial. It may be evening, it may be morning or afternoon, it may be raining or snowing outside, no matter; there is still beautiful light streaming through the windows of the Vermeer house. Even at night, when the maid is using a lantern to light her way, her face gets beautiful side lighting. The effect is jarring. As for the plot and characters, they are clichés: the brooding, misunderstood artist, the shy but oh so smart maid who does understand Art, the artist's wife who does not understand Art, the tyrannical mother-in-law who, needless to say, doesn't understand Art either, and so on, and so forth. Writers and filmmakers should not try to substitute somebody else's--in this case Vermeer's--genius for their own lack of talent. Expand
  2. SteveG.
    May 15, 2004
    A slight domestic movie - not unpleasant but not especially engaging - though a little too full of repressed emotions, smoldering looks and unexpressed feelings to really spark. There was a distinct feeling of a short story projected too large for its own good, especially when in the quiet moments you begin to notice how the director worked the same set.
  3. EnglishStudent
    May 13, 2004
    I just read the book and i have to say... it isn't very good. I just read the comment of Cameron S why she gave it a ten. I can understand if you want to give such a movie a 10 but don't go spreading around that peter jackson makes LITTLE movies... these little movies made more money in 2 days then the girl with the pearl earring will make in 2 years.
  4. MichelleH.
    Apr 6, 2004
    Well it has to be said that only a certain type of person that likes boring art/fest movies can endure this. i am only pleased that i had free tickets because if i had paid i would have been ticked off! i waited and waited for the exciting part which didn't come and at the time i said...the director must have said *all act your weirdest and let's make a movie!*
  5. KenM.
    Feb 22, 2004
    60 minutes into this cinematically truthful tale, my wife, usually the forebearing one, groans, "What's this all about?". I have to silently agree, the movie so lacked character formation or a compelling plot as to simply bore you to curiosity and leave you like a flat can of soda at the conclusion. One lady down front actually expelled pain-filled air when the credits began rolling. I wouldn't even recommend renting this film later. Expand
  6. LarryB.
    Jan 31, 2004
    An unfortunate directorial debut - disjointed and forced. What on earth was the prissy, bitchy little daughter doing in this movie? To aggravate the audience who was anxious to see this unintelligible plot play out? And poor Firth, little dialogue and one expression - henpecked, confused, and frustrated passion. And no lines worth speaking. And what was going on with the mother - in - law and the earrings? The movie was beautiful, unquestionably and the lighting was masterful - portraiture in moving color. Incredible. Johnnsen's expressions were exquisite - her eyes had it. But for the rest - faggedit. LMB Expand
  7. N.Jordan
    Jan 4, 2004
    This movie didn't live up to the book. Very disappointed several important details from the book were omitted.

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 37
  2. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. The actress (Scarlett Johansson) gives a nearly silent performance, yet the interplay on her face of fear, ignorance, curiosity, and sex is intensely dramatic.
  2. This is an art film in spades.
  3. Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    An intelligent, visually ravishing adaptation of Tracy Chevalier's best-selling novel.