Final Portrait

Final Portrait is an insightful, meticulously crafted biographical drama that was released in 2017. The film takes a magnifying glass to a specific period in the life of one of the art world's most enigmatic and eccentric figures, the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. Directed brilliantly by Stanley Tucci, the movie features commendable performances from an exceptional cast including Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, and Tony Shalhoub, among others. With Tucci at the helm, the movie masterfully balances the intensity of artistic process, the subtlety of human relationships, and the subtle humor that lies within life's absurdities.

The movie is set in Paris in the year 1964 and is based on the real-life experiences of the American art critic and writer James Lord, essayed by Armie Hammer. It unfolds over the course of a few weeks, when Lord agrees to sit for a portrait by Giacometti, a request he casually tosses at the writer who anticipates it will only take a few days. Giacometti, played with precision and panache by Geoffrey Rush, is depicted as a chain-smoking, somewhat disheveled figure, brimming over with artistic introspection and an erratic nature that is both endearing and frustrating. The 'few days' quickly turns into weeks, providing Lord with an unforgettable insight into the great artist's methods, philosophy, and challenges.

Geoffrey Rush's portrayal of Giacometti is certainly one of the standout aspects of Final Portrait. Rush beautifully encapsulates Giacometti's restless spirit and perpetual dissatisfaction with his own work, presenting a portrait of a man who is continuously in search of an unreachable artistic truth. The performance is nuanced, conveying a wide range of emotions and moods - from eruptions of frustration to moments of levity and self-deprecation. The character is both loveable yet infuriating, particularly to Lord, who becomes increasingly skeptical as the days turn into weeks.

Armie Hammer as James Lord provides a subdued counterpoint to Rush's volatile genius. Hammer wonderfully portrays Lord's transition from cheerful complacence to exasperation and finally to captivated understanding. His performance is a study in patience, curiosity, and fascinated bemusement, as he finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into the chaotic world of an artist who equates completion with death. Tony Shalhoub, playing the role of Diego, Giacometti's brother, brings a sense of calmness and practicality into this eccentric and tumultuous environment.

The movie is as much about the process and chaos of creation as it is about the tenacity and idiosyncrasies of the artist. Tucci has framed his film around a central activity; the making of a portrait. The audience is drawn into the heart of the creative process, where brushes splatter, plasters mold, and artworks evolve and devolve under the anxious gaze of the creator. The on-screen action is paired with a carefully designed, muted colour palette and the atmospheric cinematography that is consistent with the movie's deliberate pace and measured restraint.

Final Portrait offers a less conventional look at the relationship between artist and muse, revealing a symbiotic struggle between the two that pushes boundaries, disturbs comfort zones, and challenges perceptions. It is a film that pays tribute to the bleak solitude of the artist, the Tantalus-like torture of creation and the delightful messiness of life and art – all playing within the confines of Giacometti's cluttered, messy Parisian studio.

While Final Portrait explores the complexity of artistic genius, it also uncovers the human elements underneath; the friendships and forays into the Parisian nightlife, the tension between Alberto and his wife Annette, his relationship with his regular prostitute-model Caroline, and the sibling camaraderie with his brother Diego.

Final Portrait is a well-scripted, competently directed, and finely acted film. Stanley Tucci, through his thoughtful direction, adeptly challenges the notion that the artistic process is a serene, harmonious journey, instead revealing it as an endeavor fraught with self-doubt, ever-changing perspectives, and continuous striving for elusive perfection. With its intelligent narrative, marked by moments of levity, insight, and astute observations, the movie ultimately presents an intimate, meticulous depiction of genius at work and the profound complexities of the human condition. Not just for art lovers, Final Portrait is a movie that examines the joy, pain, and profound complexity of creation, making it a compelling watch for anyone interested in the contemplation of life, humanity, and the artistic process.