Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

  • Starring: Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson
  • Summary: Set in 17th century Holland, this speculative account focuses on a 16-year-old housemaid who was the inspiration for one of Johannes Vermeer's most famous paintings.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 37
  2. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. 100
    A quiet movie, shaken from time to time by ripples of emotional turbulence far beneath the surface.
  2. 80
    Webber spins a slight but considerably enchanting tale of impossible romance and artistic discovery.
  3. Reviewed by: Natasha Aitken
    80
    one of the rare book adaptations that actually benefits from a visual makeover.
  4. Reviewed by: Angel Cohn
    60
    Webber's assured directing is evident throughout; in addition to eliciting strong performances from his cast, he always knows when to linger on an image and when to move on.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 27
  2. Negative: 4 out of 27
  1. MarcusB.
    10
    It's a telling sign that so many viewers are criticizing this movie for its slow pace or lack of "plot". Since when do films absolutely have to have fast paced, clear-cut storylines that even the bridge and tunnel crowd can follow? This is the antithesis to the cookie cutter storylines normally coming out of Hollywood. No car chases, no magically satisfying ending where all is neatly tied together (Americans do love their happy endings...), no emphasis on triumph of the spirit (the "I can do it if I apply myself" illusion). Just life. Expand

See all 27 User Reviews