The Goldfinch is one of the most profound, powerful and evocative paintings ever created. It's a genius metaphor for the human condition. Deeply poetic without a single word. Bravo, Fabritius! Almost lost forever, it has stood the test of time and still seems new to me every time I see it. If anything, this beautifully shot film will turn more people on to said painting, which is its own singular event. If you are disappointed that the film isn't as lavishly detailed as the 700+ page novel, well, don't be. Nobody wants to watch a 7 hour movie. Enjoy the superb acting by Oakes Fegley, Jeffrey Wright, Luke Wilson, Nicole Kidman (finally, she's back), Willa Fitzgerald, and the beguiling Ashleigh Cummings who continues to transcend her unfortunate porn-type name. Now, on the critical side, the film would have benefited from some liposuction. It could stand to lose about 28 minutes of fat. Some crafty editing and this would easily go from a soft 7 to a hard 9.
Review of The Goldfinch
