Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti
Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti is aptly titled.
It's a pity the pace slowed.
Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti is not a particularly bold film. Nevertheless, it is a film about a very bold person who escapes his bohemian life and introduces a bit of bohemia in the extremely relaxed nation of Tahiti.
I am unsure about the true nature Gauguin. The first part of the film seeks to present him as a man that was abandoned by his wife and family before their planned voyage to Tahiti. In return, he abandons them and lives a life of mild debauchery in a hut by the beach in Tahiti. I presumed the film was a little easy on Gauguin here; he seems to hit the ground running when he arrives and soon forgets his rather laborious family.
The film then obeys a common narrative of a man dealing with a midlife crisis by throwing himself into an affair with young girl - Tehura (a tribal Tahitian offering).
While the script may disappoint; the casting, performances and cinematography are all superb.
Gauguin might be selfish and possessive, but he certainly has conviction. This is certainly something Vincent brought to the screen superbly.
This film touches on a few similar themes to Jane Campions excellent film 'The Piano'. You could almost consider this film to be The Piano through a male lens.
It's a pity the pace of the film slowed. I couldn't help but feel that there is a better film that could have been made here. Perhaps more of his history in Paris would have created a better juxtaposition on what Gaugin left?
However, Gauguin threw himself into a new life and a new art. This above anything else is the most enticing thing about the film. It may inspire.
