Fictional telling of the story behind one of Holland's most famous artists, Vermeer, and his admired work Girl With A Pearl Earring. A young maid, Greit, is sent to work in the struggling artist's home. When the Vermeer's most lucrative patron commissions a painting of the girl, his wife suspects infidelity.

A charming notion for a film. That is, to take something as innocuous as a painting of an unknown model and build a story around it shows the spark of real creativity.

The film sports fine performances by the entire cast. Johansson is both innocent and sexy her form is perfect composition for this film. Firth plays the secluded artist well and Wilkinson has just the right edge as the art buyer. The color palette and set dressings in the film evoke the feel Vermeer's work and almost put you in one of his paintings.

The script is rather simple and could be missing a layer or two but overall Girl With A Pearl Earring should satisfy those who like creative cerebral drama.

Directed by Peter Webber.