According to Don Argott’s riveting documentary The Art of the Steal, one of the biggest thefts of recent memory was conducted not by masked men with guns, but by Philadelphia’s own elected officials. The film tells the history of Dr. Albert Barnes (a Penn graduate) and his prestigious art collection, home to hundreds of original paintings by masters such as Matisse, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh.
After a falling out with art critics and the Philadelphia elite, Barnes moved his collection (now worth billions) to the suburbs, restricting access and using the works primarily as teaching tools. However, his death left the legacy of his foundation in limbo, and soon outside interests such as former rival Walter Annenberg and the Philadelphia government fought to move the paintings to a new location in the city.
Instead of a biography or an art history lesson, the documentary is wisely styled as a caper film. Powerful organizations began to take advantage of loopholes in Barnes’ will, and what follows is a suspenseful and unpredictable turn of events. While unable to film inside the Barnes’ foundation, the director takes advantage of archival footage, interesting (and quirky) interview subjects and repeated visual motifs to further the fascinating plot and keep us guessing.
The movie’s title clearly articulates the filmmaker’s position, and he makes a compelling argument in support of Dr. Barnes. However, though the film correctly warns against government encroachment on individual wills, it is less sure of itself when tackling the complex issue of the ethics of public availability. While the government clearly had economic issues in mind, I wonder if it is in the public’s best interest to have such a magnificent collection housed in a less-accesible location. Nevertheless, for a film to spark heated debates among people who aren’t necessarily art fans is a noteworthy feat, and The Art of the Steal is an excellent documentary about a scandal right in our own backyard.
Directed by: Don Argott
Rated NR, 101 min.
3.5 Stars
