Jim Amatulli, the director of "Artworks" has created a film with a visual style that is appealing, as well as pleasing to the eye. The film, although flawed, will entertain thanks to Mr. Amatulli's eye for detail and the enormous appeal of all the principals in it.
If you haven't seen the picture, please stop reading now.
Virginia Madsen is an interesting actress to watch. Ms. Madsen hasn't had the success she deserves. She's a natural who makes all the characters she plays come to life. In here she's the tormented soul who loses a baby at the beginning of the film as well as her marriage to a man she has stopped loving.
Emma Becker loves to paint. She also has an eye for finding neglected masterpieces in the homes of rich suburbanites where she goes to help set alarm systems. Her father is the chief of police. Emma is at a low point of her life when we meet her.
Enter Brett, the gallery owner. He sees in Emma a possible partner for getting into the homes of the rich people and stealing some of their treasures. With the help of Corey, the gallery assistant, they have a sure set up.
The problem with the screen play is that it has a lot of holes in it. We know how it will end. When Emma is confronted with the facts of the crime that points out to her, she doesn't fight back, but promise to cooperate and get the others involved, at the expense of losing the man she has come to love and has given her another lease on life.
Virginia Madsen, as Emma, makes an excellent contribution to the film. Rick Rossovich, as Brett, brings a mixture of sex and mystery to his gallery owner. Both actors are seen in intimate ways that are done in perfect taste. We get the passion and the heat going on between them in a way that under another director would have seemed tacky and gross.
"Artworks", while predictable, shows a new talent who will probably go to do great work in the near future. This picture is richly textured with brilliant colors.
