OBSERVER: Stolen Painting
In the early 21st century, a painting by early 20th century artist Egon Schiele was discovered in the house of a young suburban chemical worker by a modern art specialist. The painting had disappeared when it was looted by the Nazis in the Second World War.
The Stolen Painting is based on this true story when auctioneer Andre Masson (Alex Lutz) receives a letter saying that an Egon Schiele painting has been discovered in the home of a young nightshift factory worked. Initially sceptical and sure it must be a fake, Masson and his intern Aurore (Louise
Chevillote) make the journey to investigate and find that this is the missing painting and worth huge amounts of money.
The factory worker, Martin, (Arcadi Radeff) takes care of his mother and when they took possession of the house and all its contents, the painting was on the wall.
What happens from then on is quite a journey, as the personalities involved gradually reveal themselves. Masson is egotistical, immaculately dressed and displays appalling chauvinist behaviour to his underling Aurore, who is also something of a piece of work.
Aurore covers her own insecurities and background with a tissue of lies, leaving the audience sympathetic to her but unsure of where lies end and truth begins.
There are twists and turns in the bidding war for the painting, and one of the integral characters who keeps things on the straight and narrow is Masson’s ex-wife, colleague and close friend, Bertina (Lea Drucker).
There is a clash of cultures and worlds with the high art specialists and factory worker Martin, who is content with his life as a night shift factory worker and his two close mates with whom he plays cards and hangs out.
He is a caring son to his mother, and one of the really likable characters in the film. It’s Martin who believes that money does not bring happiness, but putting things to rights and knowing what is important in your life brings contentment.
Gradually, Masson, Aurore and Bertina also reveal their softer sides, leading to a much happier conclusion that we might have expected at the beginning of the film.
The Stolen Painting is a slow burn, but persevere and you will walk out feeling satisfied and content.
Julie Houghton
Pictured: Alex Lutz