Sunday in the Park with George

Author(s): Chris K. (AZ)
Sunday in the Park with George

Directed by Sam Mendes
Written by John Logan
Edited by Richard Marizy
Cinematography by Michael Ballhaus
Costumes by Gabriella Psecucci
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based upon the stage musical of the same name

Main Cast

Georges Seurat/George: Richard Schiff
Dot/Marie: Elisabeth Shue

Tagline: “There are certain things where mediocrity is intolerable, such as art”

Synopsis: Standing there like a porcelain doll for a useless sketch for a married man can be trying for almost anyone, especially Dot. Georges is about to draw his most acclaimed painting of his career “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte ” which unknown to himself will make him a timeless artist to a plenty. He simply ignores people around him while drawing normal people of all size and stature to include within his work. While they are within the studio Georges and Dot who have been seeing each other in secret due to Georges’s marriage have an argument about his obsession with work there upon she leaves him. The next day Georges is simply drawing dogs from their point of view while others around converse in the timeless art of “gossip”. Dot announces to Georges with a “new man” that she has decided to move on with herself towards America . As they have one final moment alone they realize they albeit they love one another they may never be together. While this may be the case, she has become pregnant with Georges baby and will raise it without him knowing about the child. As the final straw that breaks him he gets all the stand-ins into the portrait and literally freezes them within his painting as he put them into color due to the new atmosphere they are within.

The characters are still within the painting and literally stuck within the work as they slowly fade away. With nothing else to do they reminisce about George’s fate and they age 100 years further and they are quite literally gone from the world. Then comes a light from George a struggling artist who is unveiling “Chromolume #7” to revision Seurat’s famous painting and has to weave through the critics, peers, friends, and family using multiple façade’s to distract them. His mother Marie reflects on leaving a legacy that started with Seurat who is his great grandfather. That night she dies and George decides to fly to the island his great-grandfather created his masterpiece while reading Dot’s journal handed down by his mother which chronicles her life until an actual representation of Dot appears to George. As George continues to read more of the book characters from the painting begin to appear alongside Dot. When he completes it and witnesses the scene that he has entered characters start to fade away and all that is left for George is a blank canvas that he is within but witnessing the world of possibilities in front of him.

What the press would say

A movie that primarily takes place within or around a painting needs true artistic direction. Sam Mendes allowed us to see this within “Sunday in the Park with George” which takes place almost like a painting should be. The actors were there but the visuals made them look almost painting-like structures. His eye was needed for this film and he did it extremely well. “American Beauty” was just a touch of his artistic genius this was extremely well made. His musical direction was also exceptional due to his previous work on stage (Cabaret). He knew how to direct the film and did it to perfection reciting such direction as Bob Fosse who was reminiscent throughout. That subtle feeling was Medes’s true direction and it worked extremely well.

Richard Schiff has never been huge getting his real break in “The West Wing” and finally he got a real break and running with it. His singing capabilities were in question constantly and he cast away all doubts. It’s not amazing but it works with the character perfectly and he brutally portrays these two characters. His performance was amazing he could be mistaken for a method actor with how much effort is seen on screen. This is the performance that will not be ignored come Oscar day.

Elisabeth Shue has never shown her singing capabilities, this film shows that clearly within the song “Sunday in the Park with George” which was easily her best performance because she immediately sets the tone of the film and does it with her amazing voice and acting ability. This is the female performance of the year and shall not be forgotten come awards night. She was close to winning an Academy Award and this performance may make that change with her heart wrenching portrayal that is timeless. The only critique on her portrayal is that she’s almost too old, but her acting ability takes that away in this film

AMPAS has no reason to deny giving this film an Academy Award for best picture. It has all the right things that previous winners have won. Like one of Georges Seurat’s famous painting this project that obviously took more time than most films that will be rewarded come Oscar time. Now comparing this with other musicals would be frivolous because it’s impossible the different styles of era’s, but when compared with other films of the year it far surpasses any other. “Sunday in the Park with George” is a masterful film that when it becomes Oscar time it shall not be forgotten in any category that it is competing in.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director- Sam Mendes
Best Actor- Richard Schiff
Best Actress- Elisabeth Shue
Best Adapted Screenplay