The Artist s Wife review - uninspired portrait of dementia in the Hamptons | reviews, news & interviews The Artist s Wife review - uninspired portrait of dementia in the Hamptons
The Artist s Wife review - uninspired portrait of dementia in the Hamptons
An artist s wife rediscovers her own creativity: Lena Olin and Bruce Dern star
by Markie Robson-ScottWednesday, 28 April 2021
Who s the artist? Bruce Dern and Lena Olin as Richard and Claire
“The only child I’ve ever had is you,” the artist’s wife (Lena Olin), spits at the artist, her considerably older husband (Bruce Dern), who retorts, “That was your goddamn choice so don’t blame it on me.”
Last modified on Thu 29 Apr 2021 04.02 EDT
âI create the art. She creates the rest of life. Everything we do is up to Claire.â Thatâs painter Richard Smythson speaking, an artworld big gun, Jackson Pollock-meets-Philip Roth, played by Bruce Dern. Heâs being interviewed in front of camera alongside his long-suffering wife Claire (Lena Olin). Her response is frozen on screen for a split second: a forced smile and behind it a flash of panicked terror and possibly rage. Itâs a moment of clarity that triggers a late-marriage crisis in Tom Dolbyâs tasteful drama, brilliantly acted but never entirely credible and not quite the force for feminism it wants to be.
March 9, 2021
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “The Artist’s Wife” beginning March 12.
Starting Friday, March 12, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “The Artist’s Wife,” a moving drama about a couple coping with the husband and renowned artist’s disease.
Claire (played by Lena Olin), the wife of famed artist Richard Smythson (played by Bruce Dern) and once a promising painter herself, now lives in the shadow of her husband s illustrious career. While preparing work for a new exhibition, Richard is diagnosed with dementia. As Richard s memories and moods become lost and erratic, Claire attempts to shield his illness from the art community while trying to reconnect him with his estranged daughter and grandson. Claire, who has taken up painting once again, must decide whether to stand with her husband in the shadows or step into the spotlight herself.
March 9, 2021
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “The Artist’s Wife” beginning March 12.
Starting Friday, March 12, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s Cinema Art Theater will present “The Artist’s Wife,” a moving drama about a couple coping with the husband and renowned artist’s disease.
Claire (played by Lena Olin), the wife of famed artist Richard Smythson (played by Bruce Dern) and once a promising painter herself, now lives in the shadow of her husband s illustrious career. While preparing work for a new exhibition, Richard is diagnosed with dementia. As Richard s memories and moods become lost and erratic, Claire attempts to shield his illness from the art community while trying to reconnect him with his estranged daughter and grandson. Claire, who has taken up painting once again, must decide whether to stand with her husband in the shadows or step into the spotlight herself.
February 22, 2021
“The Artist’s Wife” will be released on digital platforms and in cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 30th April 2021 by Vertigo Releasing.
The film stars Lena Olin and Bruce Dern, and is directed by Tom Dolby, who wrote the screenplay with Nicole Brending and Abdi Nazemian.
Claire (Lena Olin) lives a quiet domestic life in the Hamptons as the wife of celebrated artist Richard Smythson (Bruce Dern). Once a promising painter herself, Claire now lives in the shadow of her husband’s illustrious career. While preparing work for his final show, Richard’s moods become increasingly erratic, and he is diagnosed with dementia.