Overview
A poignant exploration of the life of a brilliant yet tormented artist, showcasing the beauty and tragedy of creativity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- intense
- poignant
- classic cinema viewing
- art history study
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the production, expressive color design, and strong performances, especially Kirk Douglas as van Gogh, while some found the film slow and psychologically simplified.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Vincent van Gogh's professional failures, relationships, illness, and artistic development as a dramatized life story.
Critics specifically praised the deliberate use of color schemes, compositions, and interacting hues to convey van Gogh's artistic perception.
Van Gogh's fixation on painting drives his choices, failures, mental deterioration, and strained relationships.
Theo remains the one constant source of moral and financial support throughout Vincent's unhappy life.
Films like Lust for Life, and why
Moulin Rouge
artist biography, psychological torment, and visually expressive color design
Pollock
ambitious biographical drama centered on a volatile modern artist and creative obsession
Mr. Turner
melancholic painter biography with emphasis on artistic identity and difficult relationships
The Agony and the Ecstasy
classic literary biopic portraying artistic genius, illness, and emotional isolation
Movie Details
- Director
- Vincente Minnelli
- Release Date
- 1956-09-15
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (210)
Cast
- Kirk Douglas
- Anthony Quinn
- James Donald
- Pamela Brown
- Everett Sloane
- Niall MacGinnis
- Noel Purcell
- Henry Daniell
- Madge Kennedy
- Jill Bennett
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Lust for Life about?
- A richly colored, deeply tragic portrait of Vincent van Gogh’s devotion to painting, psychological turmoil, and enduring bond with his brother Theo.
- What is Lust for Life like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lust for Life as slow, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Lust for Life violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Lust for Life as mild.
- What did critics think of Lust for Life?
- Critics broadly praised the production, expressive color design, and strong performances, especially Kirk Douglas as van Gogh, while some found the film slow and psychologically simplified.
- Which films are like Lust for Life?
- Films with a similar feel include Moulin Rouge, Pollock, Mr. Turner, and The Agony and the Ecstasy.
- How long is Lust for Life?
- Lust for Life runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Lust for Life?
- In United States, Lust for Life is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
