Author Topic: Mr Turner ... (Read 3298 times)

LT · « **on:** April 04, 2015, 11:43:53 AM »

Has anyone seen the Mike Leigh movie, Mr Turner (with Timothy Spall in the lead role?)

There is a great section on the growing threat (perceived by Mr Turner at least) that the new photography (using camerARs) poses to artists and painters. It is quite humorous, although probably not meant to be overly funny. There is quite an interesting line in response to Mr Turner's question about why the pictures aren't in colour ... the photographer says that it was a mystery why the daguerreotype images weren't in colour.

Anyway, worth a watch if you get the chance. The film is good all the way through, even if they filmed the Margate sections in Cornwall rather than in Margate.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2015, 02:01:01 PM »

It was excellent - a tough film to watch at times, but very worthwhile.

I got the impression that the American understood the business potential well enough, but not the chemistry.

LT · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2015, 03:04:28 PM »

True Sandeha - quite difficult to watch often actually. But interesting none the less. It has made me want to find out a lot more about Mr Turner. I've liked his paintings ever since I saw the evening skies off of Margate and Westgate, and then how his pictures echo those.

And, yes. I think the chemistry thing was an intentional comment on the shifts in approach from the master painter to the commercial portrait photographer. Funny how photography came to be a craft in its own right, and we now think the same way as Mr T when we consider the digi-chimpers and phone snappers.

Indofunk · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2015, 03:23:58 PM »

Oh, I thought you were talking about Turner and Hooch

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2015, 03:25:58 PM »

I find it hard not to reference paintings when shooting. But David Hockney made a curious point in a recent biopic on the Beeb, (though the quote was from years ago), that with photography we spend more time looking at the product than was spent in the making, and with painting more time goes into the creation than into looking at it.

David A-W · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2015, 04:22:27 PM »

I really enjoyed the film, once I'd realised that it wasn't about a particular event or time of his life, it was literally a film about JMW Turner, as it said in the title. I'm so used to bio-pics centring around a specific episode that it was rather refreshing to have a more literal approach. I particularly loved the scenes at Petworth - Spall's singing of the Purcell may be the bit that was hardest to watch...

Late Developer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2015, 06:22:36 PM »

Quote from: Sandeha Lynch on April 04, 2015, 03:25:58 PM

I find it hard not to reference paintings when shooting. But David Hockney made a curious point in a recent biopic on the Beeb, (though the quote was from years ago), that with photography we spend more time looking at the product than was spent in the making, and with painting more time goes into the creation than into looking at it.

Strangely, I spend as little time as possible looking a Hockney's work - painting, photography or anything else. He's right, of course, but only for photographers and painters whose work we actually like.....

Late Developer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2015, 06:26:31 PM »

Yes, I remember it; it brought a wry smile to my face. Great film, though. I could watch it again and again. I read a fair bit about Turner whilst at school after seeing (but not being able to make out the subject of) The Fighting Temeraire. I must get some books on him again as I think I'll understand a bit better now these 36 years have passed since school.....

Kai-san · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2015, 08:17:20 PM »

I didn't think it was hard to watch at all, but then I'm a bit of a Mike Leigh fan. I've read quite a bit about Mr. Turner, and I can recommend this one: Standing in the Sun: A Life of J.M.W. Turner by Anthony Bailey. In this book Bailey says that Turner knew a photographer and he speculates about the existance of a photo of Mr. Turner. Mike Leigh takes this one step further. To my knowledge there has never been identified a photo of Turner. Now if such a photo should be found that would be quite a scoop! So keep looking in those second hand cameras you keep buying..........

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2015, 11:08:09 AM »

For photography influenced by painting listen to Simon Norfolk talking about his starting point for the 'golden light' that is present in almost all of his work up to about 10 years ago. Fascinating.

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2015, 12:29:15 PM »

I watched it last week and loved it, it also helps to be a big fan of Mike Leigh's work. What I found perplexing was the fact he left his collection to the nation on the condition that they were to be kept together... his paintings have consequently never been seen as a whole since his death. I was fortunate to see the largest gathering of his work, in recent times, at Greenwich a couple of years ago. One of the most memorable exhibitions I've seen for a long while.

Pete_R · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2015, 05:00:09 PM »

I had three hours to kill on a plane so hired it and watched it on my phone. Probably not the best way to watch a film. I liked it - even his rendering of Purcell. Makes a change from Jesse Norman.

Was that a quick shot of the seven sisters that appeared at one point or was I mistaken. Couldn't see the relevance.

I've got another three hour flight home tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

LT · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2015, 08:38:35 PM »

Birman Peter? That's another good recent film.

And yes. the Seven Sisters did appear as some random reference to the chalk cliffs around the East coast of Kent, even though they are on the south coast in Sussex!

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2015, 11:50:31 AM »

Quote from: Peter R on April 07, 2015, 05:00:09 PM

I've got another three hour flight home tomorrow. Any other suggestions?

Watched the Imitation Game at the weekend - recommend highly!

LT · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2015, 12:15:31 PM »

Quote from: Paul Mitchell on April 08, 2015, 11:50:31 AM

Watched the Imitation Game at the weekend - recommend highly!

I second that motion.

Late Developer · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2015, 12:54:18 PM »

Imitation game - thirded.

Also - check out "Birdman". Quirky but I really enjoyed it.

LT · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2015, 01:24:37 PM »

Quote from: Late Developer on April 08, 2015, 12:54:18 PM

Also - check out "Birdman". Quirky but I really enjoyed it.

So that is seconded too.

ALSO - Whiplash. Great film.

Pete_R · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2015, 02:46:31 PM »

Too late. Just got on the plane. I did get a copy of that Ansel Adams story off YouTube to watch though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Andrea. · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2015, 09:29:26 PM »

Paddington Bear was just great - if a little scary!
Lego movie - fantastic
Shaun the Sheeps - Ok.

Second or is it third childhood!

LT · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2015, 09:37:14 PM »

I liked Paddington too Andrea.