Nightwatching (2007)

Nightwatching Poster

An extravagant, exotic and moving look at Rembrandt's romantic and professional life, and the controversy he created by the identification of a murderer in the painting The Night Watch.

Film Overview
"Nightwatching" is a 2007 biographical film directed by Peter Greenaway, which artfully blends drama, mystery, and art history. The movie centers around the Dutch painter Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, depicted by British star Martin Freeman. The plot focuses on the development of Rembrandt's most famous work, 'The Night Watch', the scenarios leading up to it, and how it affected his life.

Plot Summary
The movie begins in 1642 with Rembrandt as an effective painter living a comfy life with his partner, Saskia, wonderfully depicted by Eva Birthistle. The Amsterdam city council commissions him to paint a group picture of the wealthy Amsterdam Musketeer Militia Company, which is to end up being the renowned 'Night Watch'. Happy with the commission, Rembrandt approaches preparation for the painting with excitement.

As Rembrandt delves into his topics, he starts to presume a conspiracy amongst the musketeers, meaning corruption, deceit, and murder. His investigator work is shown through tumultuous sittings, extensive sketches, and a painting that starts to take on a style of exposure instead of honor.

Relationships and Revelations
While struggling to reveal fact, Rembrandt's individual life takes a terrible turn. Saskia, his genuine supporter and love of his life, ends up being ill and passes away leaving him with three children. He later on gets in a relationship with his servant, Geertje, portrayed by Jodhi May, and after that his younger housemaid, Hendrickje, played by Emily Holmes.

Throughout this turmoil, Rembrandt threats everything to expose the conspiracy within 'The Night Watch'. When the painting is finally unveiled, viewers are horrified by its non-traditional design-- light illuminating criminal-like faces in the place of honorable portraits.

Reactions and Aftermath
The scandalous unveiling of 'The Night Watch' results in a harsh backlash, setting off Rembrandt's fall. The Amsterdam elite responds with outrage and retaliation, casting Rembrandt into social and monetary destroy. They effectively sue him, requiring him into insolvency and taking his house, prints, and art collection.

In spite of the public embarrassment and catastrophe, Rembrandt declines to alter his accusatory work of art. He stays defiant till his death, eternally confident about his artistic choices.

Crucial Insight
"Nightwatching" merges truth with fiction, utilizing a vivid visual style similar to Rembrandt's own. It combines the complexity of art, while clarifying the commercial and societal pressures the artist faced. The movie is not practically Rembrandt's biggest masterpiece, however it is likewise about the man himself: his relationships, his struggles, and eventually, his indomitable artistic spirit. Greenaway uses the medium brilliantly to unfold 'The Night Watch' scandal, providing a fresh interpretation of the Dutch master's life.

Suffused with desire, suspicion, and cultural intricacies, "Nightwatching" creates an intricate picture of Rembrandt's world. It adds an appealing story to history and art, challenging the audience to probe deeper into Rembrandt's iconic work of art and the ramifications contained within.

In conclusion, "Nightwatching" sheds a distinct light on the vibrant interplay between art, fact, and society. The film offers audiences a narrative account of among history's most well known artists, his life challenges, duplicity of his subjects, and the effects developing from exposing an extensive reality in his art. Through this journey, the viewers are given a thought-provoking representation of Rembrandt's amazing strength and undeviating commitment to his craft.

Top Cast

  • Martin Freeman (small)
    Martin Freeman
    Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Emily Holmes (small)
    Emily Holmes
    Hendrickje
  • Eva Birthistle (small)
    Eva Birthistle
    Saskia
  • Jodhi May (small)
    Jodhi May
    Geertje
  • Toby Jones (small)
    Toby Jones
    Gerard Dou
  • Jonathan Holmes (small)
    Jonathan Holmes
    Ferdinand Bol
  • Michael Teigen (small)
    Michael Teigen
    Carel Fabritius
  • Kevin McNulty (small)
    Kevin McNulty
    Engelen
  • Agata Buzek (small)
    Agata Buzek
    Titia Uylenburgh
  • Natalie Press (small)
    Natalie Press
    Marieke
  • Fiona O'Shaughnessy (small)
    Fiona O'Shaughnessy
    Marita