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My first thought
going into a film that deals with a young
girl who can churn out works of modern art
is a rather cynical one. It focuses on the
world of modern art and its inevitable ‘beauty
is in the eye of the beholder’ place
in the world. I begin to think about what
art is and generally for me it boils down
to its most simplistic definition…
it should look like something. When you
take a load of paint and squirt it at a
canvas like, say… Jackson Pollock…
I’m sorry… its not art. Or if
you construct a giant piece of bent rusted
metal and set it in a museum claiming it
represents ‘Man’s Inhumanity
to Man’… I’m sorry…
it’s not art.
There was a modern artist about 20 years
ago who created pieces by laying out huge
sheets and dropping paint off of the roofs
of buildings. His ‘art’ sold
for thousands of dollars, yet when interviewed
he would freely admit that his art was crap…
but as long as people were willing to shell
out thousands of dollars for it he’ll
keep making it. I loved his honesty.
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I’m often told that I have no appreciation
or education for art, but to be honest the people
who tell me this don’t know anymore than
I do. They just buy into what all the publicists
tell them to buy into, because it makes them seem
‘cool’ or ‘intellectual’.
Of course, it does neither when those people hit
the real world…
This all brings me back to the film that I’m
here to talk about and oddly enough despite the
title the actual subject of the film has nothing
to do with the quality of modern art, but rather
the authenticity of the talent of a little 4 year
old girl. “My Kid Could Paint That”
is a documentary focusing on the family of Marla
Olmstead, who became a media sensation back in
2004 when her art was exhibited at a gallery.
Right about the time her fame began to really
hit, the family was contacted by director Amin
Bar-Lev, who wanted to film a documentary about
the 4-year old prodigy. To say that I found the
documentary fascinating would be an understatement,
not simply because of the little girl’s
talent and personality but also because it ‘painted’
such a perfect picture of the narrow-minded sheep-like
attitude of the people in this country. There’s
nothing we like better than a hero… perhaps
except for a fallen one.
You see, the media filled sensationalism made
people view this little girl as a prodigy. But
then as soon as one person questioned the validity
of her talents and whether or not her parents
‘helped’ her along, the same media
tore her down and the people followed suit. (Can
you say… intellectually challenged?) Even
the film’s director found himself wondering
if the whole thing was some sort of sham, though
he wisely never interjects his opinion directly
into the film.
In this film, you see and hear about people who
are ‘shocked’ that the idea that Marla
was a prodigy could be a scam and want viewers
to feel sorry for them. But truth be told, I don’t
feel sorry for a single person who bought fully
into the story, true or not. I don’t feel
sorry for anyone who spent thousands of dollars
on her paintings, only to find out there was a
slim chance she didn’t actually complete
them. The only person I feel sorry for is Marla.
The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter
in grand scheme of things whether or not she is
a prodigy or what people might think of her. What
matters… and this is truly the ONLY thing
that matters… is that Marla is a well-adjusted
little girl who loves to paint.
Sony’s DVD for “My Kid Could Paint
That” includes a handful of extra features,
including a commentary by film editor John Walter
and the owner of the small town art gallery, Anthony
Brunelli. There is also a featurette focusing
a little on what happened after the end of the
film, including a short statement made at the
Sundance Film Festival to the effect that the
girl’s mother objected to how the film turned
out. Additionally there is a bit of an ‘art’
lesson from art critic Mark Kimmelman who does
his level best to sound important and all-knowing
in describing to us what ‘art’ is.
“My Kid Could Paint That” is a terrific
documentary piece and one that I highly recommend.
Directed by: Amir Bar-Lev
Extras: Audio Commentary, Michael Kimmelman on
Art, Back to Binghamton
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital 5.0
Surround
Studio: Sony
Release Date: 3/4/2008
Region: 1
MPAA Rating: R
Website
Website
We'll give My Kid Could Paint That a B.
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