The Art of the Steal

Directed by: Don Argott Running Time: 1 hr 41 mins Rating: NR Release Date: March 12, 2010 (Chicago)

PLOT: In 1922, a man by the name of Albert Barnes opened up a small art museum in a Pennsylvania suburb, putting on display his personal collection, which contained 800 paintings, in total thought to be worth around six billion dollars. This documentary tells the story of "the worst art theft since World War II," as art purists fight to keep the legendary works out of museums more focused on tourism than presentation.

WHO'S IT FOR?: This one is not just for art fans, though they will be simultaneously drooling and mourning the treatment of certain famous art pieces by Matisse, Cezanne, etc. I would recommend this movie to any fan of a great documentary.

EXPECTATIONS: I knew nothing about the film going into it, except for a fellow critic informing me that it was about “stolen paintings.” I assumed he meant men in black masks. I didn't think he meant suits and ties.

SCORECARD (0-10)

TALKING: A sad but true story with many supporting characters, the film does not focus on one set of individuals. The talking heads, which span from disciples of Barnes to those trying to ruin his vision, all have their own opportunity to show up and add their own personal reflections to the story. A few people found this cause so serious that they even refused to be interviewed. Score: 7

SIGHTS: Images of various people are shown in a picture book or bulletin board format, with an energetic camera moving from one picture to the next. This avoids the typical “hover around an image in close up” powerpoint-like format that many documentaries lose their fluidity to. The most lasting pictures in the entire film are from those taken inside Barnes’ museum, which offer brief glimpses that really accentuate the art collector's special vision for his valuables. Fortunately, Barnes himself is able to come alive through a collection of personal camera footage, which frequently involves him playing with his dog. Score: 8

SOUNDS: The film switches between a unique collection of songs by Philip Glass and a more aggressive bluesy soundtrack, especially when the morality crumbling away in the story hits newer lows. Score: 7

PLOT SPOILERS

BEST SCENE: There is no one particular moment that stands out in such a solid and maintaining film.

ENDING: I won't ruin the resolution to the debate, but chances are if you're from the Philly area you know the results.

QUESTIONS: So Judge Ott didn't really mind being duped?

REWATCHABILITY: To fully understand the picture, this film could certainly survive a second viewing. Most of all, I look forward to watching this with friends, and watching their dumbfounded jaws drop to the floor at certain moments.

OVERALL

The Art of the Steal is an intellectually invaluable documentary that is broken into two sections: the first quarter of the film creates a portrait of a fascinating man, Albert Barnes, and the unique way he handled his billion dollar art collection. When he passes on in 1951, a fascinating tug-of-war begins between the wealthy “intellectual scum” and the disciples of Barnes, or as one could argue, the true lovers of art.

Through many back-stabbings in a frustrating turn of events, the compelling story (which can only be sad but true) raises head-scratching issues about art’s value both economically and emotionally. With their beloved creations carted around to worldwide self-serving exhibitions by corporate pimps, have artists like Matisse or Monet become victims of beyond the grave prostitution? Wonderfully, The Art of the Steal tells one of the most complicated stories of true art thievery, and yet still has the gusto to bravely call out the crooks who only see the color green when examining a painting by Seurat or Van Gogh.

FINAL SCORE: 8/10