My Kid Could Paint That
Amir Bar-Lev
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Plot Summary
An Official Selection of both the 2007 Toronto Film Festival and the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, My Kid Could Paint That released in home entertainment on March 4, 2008. Documenting the rise and fall of four-year old artist Marla Olmstead, Amir Bar-Lev's - a much-discussed documentary. According to her parents, Mark and Laura Olmstead, Marla began painting when she was only two. By the time she was four, her work had been exhibited at a gallery and she was profiled in The New York Times. But rumors that her father might be doing the paintings and crediting Marla led to a backlash against the family and, in order to clear their name, the Olmsteads invited filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev to document Marla's technique over the course of a year. The films' release was greeted by controversy, with the Olmstead family speaking out against the documentary on CNN, Nightline, and Good Morning America.
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Movie Reviews from Rotten Tomatoes
TOMATOMETER
94%- Reviews Counted: 81
- Fresh: 76
- Rotten: 5
- Average Rating: 7.8/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: I've seen the film twice. It is a wonder, marked by a sense of wondrous skepticism that has nothing to do with cynicism.
Fresh: Bar-Lev goes to the heart of the issue -- that all art, but especially abstract art -- demands commitment on every side, but commitment takes many forms and has many motives behind it.
Fresh: For parents, My Kid Could Paint That functions as a mirror, prompting us to wonder at what point we should draw the line and close the door. When the national media camp out in our living rooms? When the kid's college account is full?
Fresh: The opportunities for a satirical comedy are largely missed by filmmaker Amir Bar-Lev, who does a lot of first-person hand-wringing about his methods. That is both a distraction and an indication that he got a little too close to his subjects.
Customer Reviews
Interesting, Somewhat Sad at Times, Inquisitive... makes you think
The story is simple enough - did this four-year-old really create this abstract pieces of art, is she a prodigy, is it a gift from God or a bit of a con? Well, you watch and decide for yourself. As for the film, it's ultimately a bit disappointing I must say. Of course, it's interesting to see the phenomenon at the beginning, and as for the little girl, she's just that - a little girl, as sweet as could be. But the first question mark is all about, and maybe this is the more interesting part of the film, abstract art. Who hasn't looked at this stuff in a fine a museum and said what the heck is this? It's just gobs of paint with scribbles. Then you read some long explanation about it's meaning. Well, most of us just nod our heads to be a polite but few of us get it and those of us with some guts are willing to say it's been a con for hundreds of years - well, most of it. That's just what this little girl does - she just plays with paint and then it's astonishing. Well, it's really just cute. When they do begin to explore the story behind her paintings, then the doubts begin - but you listen to both sides and decide for yourself. As documentaries go - good, not great. I really wish itunes would get more decent documentaries on here - Amazon is so much better.
Excellent film - film maker handled his situation well
This film really isn't about the kid being the artist or not. It's about how the film maker handled HIS doubts. What a difficult situation to be in! After earning the family's trust - to then be faced with your own doubts. Very well done. My husband and I continue to follow her story. And we firmly believe the little girl did not do those pictures alone. If the Dad had just fessed up about 'helping' it still would have been great art!
Good Lil Film
After watching the movie I'm inclined to believe Marla is the artist her parents claim her to be. Really this movie isn't about whether she is or isn't, but more about how media corrupts almost everything it touches. She's a really cute kid as is her brother, Zane, and her parents seem like they love their children, though even they get a bit caught up in the excitement. It's a good little film, worth renting, though I wouldn't purchase it (more of a one watch dealio). I wish I could afford one of her paintings, they look beautiful!
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