17th century Amsterdam saw the explosion of the tulip bulb market, which provides the backdrop for this film’s amorous intrigue. Alicia Vikander plays a woman who’s sold to a rich merchant (Christoph Waltz), but falls for the young artist hired to paint her portrait (Dane DeHaan). The plots lines swirl around each to generate a vortex of dramatic complications that would make Shakespeare proud. As expected, the era allows for some lovely visuals, but also exposes the grittier side of the period. Even through the complex storytelling, the actors create compelling characters and elevate the narrative to a more acceptable level.
(3.5 / 5)