Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
A luminous period drama tracing the imagined story behind Vermeer's most iconic painting, starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.
Girl with a Pearl Earring - Movie Information
- Original Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
- Release Year: 2003
- Directed by: Peter Webber
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 12, 2003 (United States - PG-13), January 16, 2004 (United Kingdom - 12A), September 23, 2004 (Germany - 6), March 3, 2004 (France - TP), February 20, 2004 (Brazil - 12), February 20, 2004 (Italy - T), February 20, 2004 (Spain - 7), September 3, 2004 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: 진주 귀걸이를 한 소녀 (KR), 画意私情 (CN), Девојката со Бисерна Обетка (MK), Flicka med pärlörhänge (SE)
- Production Companies: Archer Street Productions, Delux Productions, Pathé, Wild Bear Films
- Production Countries: France, Luxembourg, United Kingdom
Girl with a Pearl Earring - Plot
This film, adapted from a work of fiction by author Tracy Chevalier, tells a story about the events surrounding the creation of the painting "Girl With A Pearl Earring" by 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. A young peasant maid working in the house of painter Johannes Vermeer becomes his talented assistant and the model for one of his most famous works.
Girl with a Pearl Earring - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the world of Vermeer's 17th-century Delft come to life:
Discover the mystery behind the legend.
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Girl with a Pearl Earring - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Peter Webber
Main Cast
- Scarlett Johansson
- Colin Firth
- Tom Wilkinson
- Cillian Murphy
- Judy Parfitt
- Essie Davis
- Joanna Scanlan
- Gabrielle Reidy
- Chris McHallem
- Alakina Mann
Writers
- Olivia Hetreed
Producers
- Anand Tucker
- Andy Paterson
Girl with a Pearl Earring - FAQs
What is Girl with a Pearl Earring about?
Girl with a Pearl Earring imagines the story behind Vermeer's legendary 17th-century painting. A young maid named Griet enters the Dutch master's household and gradually becomes his artistic confidante and, ultimately, the subject of his most celebrated work. It's a quiet, visually stunning portrait of forbidden fascination and creative obsession.
Is Girl with a Pearl Earring based on a true story?
Not exactly. The film adapts Tracy Chevalier's 1999 novel, which is itself a work of historical fiction. While Johannes Vermeer was a real 17th-century Dutch painter and the painting exists, the story of Griet and her relationship with Vermeer is entirely imagined. The novel and film speculate creatively about the painting's mysterious origins.
Where can you stream Girl with a Pearl Earring?
Streaming availability for Girl with a Pearl Earring varies by region and changes over time. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current rental, purchase, and subscription options across all major platforms in your country, so you always get the most up-to-date information.
What is the ending of Girl with a Pearl Earring explained?
At the film's close, Griet leaves the Vermeer household after the painting is revealed, her position untenable. Years later, Vermeer's widow sends her the pearl earrings as a bequest. It's a bittersweet conclusion — a quiet acknowledgment of the bond between painter and muse, and the price Griet paid for it.
Who are the main actors in Girl with a Pearl Earring?
Scarlett Johansson leads the film as Griet, the young maid at the heart of the story, opposite Colin Firth as the enigmatic Johannes Vermeer. Tom Wilkinson plays the menacing patron Van Ruijven, and Cillian Murphy appears as Pieter, the butcher's son who loves Griet. It's a remarkably strong ensemble.
Did the real Vermeer painting inspire the film's look?
Absolutely. Cinematographer Eduardo Serra and director Peter Webber deliberately modelled the film's visual palette on Vermeer's actual paintings — the soft, diffused light, the intimate domestic interiors, the rich yet restrained colour. The result is a film that feels less like a movie and more like stepping inside a 17th-century Dutch canvas.
How was Girl with a Pearl Earring received by critics?
Critics responded warmly to the film, praising Scarlett Johansson's understated performance and Eduardo Serra's luminous cinematography. Reviewers consistently highlighted its painterly visual style and restrained emotional tension. It earned three BAFTA nominations and was widely regarded as a thoughtful, beautifully crafted period drama that elevated its source material.
What films are similar to Girl with a Pearl Earring?
If you loved Girl with a Pearl Earring, try Atonement (2007) for its lush period atmosphere and repressed longing, or Pride & Prejudice (2005) for another visually gorgeous British period romance. The Portrait of a Lady (1996) and Legends of the Fall (1994) also share that same sense of sweeping, melancholic romantic drama.
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