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virginia madsen in artworks

Artworks

Artworks. Now, I’m not going to lie. I like this movie, a lot. It’s just an easy and fun watch and more than once when I’ve been stuck for something to put on I’ve reached for this.

Emma Becker (Virginia Madsen) is a former artist now working as home security expert. She’s in an unhappy marriage after the loss of her child in childbirth and generally fed up with her lot. Through her work she meets Bret Rogers (Rick Rossovich), the owner of a local Art Gallery. They hit off, a little more than Emma’s husband would approve of.
Virginia Madsen as Emma Becker in Artworks. She sits at a table in a softly lit room, wearing a black pinstripe blazer with her curly blonde hair framing her face. She has a warm, engaged expression as she speaks with someone whose back is visible in the foreground. The background features blurred figures, suggesting a casual yet intimate setting.Her passion for Art rekindled by Bret, she admits she is frustrated by the kinds of people she has to deal with. Bret has had his run-ins with the law himself but finds himself equally at odds with his clients. They talk and eventually come up with the plan that they should steal paintings from rich people who don’t appreciate what they have hanging on their walls.

Emma is reluctant at first, her Dad, Howard (Daniel von Bargen), is the Police Chief, she’s had law and order drummed into her. But, it isn’t long before she decides to give it a go. They team up with one of Brets old chums, Corey (Eddie Mills) and away they go.Virginia Madsen as Emma Becker in Artworks. A close-up captures her with an expression of quiet emotion, her green eyes glistening as she looks at someone off-camera. Her short, curly blonde hair frames her face, and she wears delicate dangling earrings. The soft lighting and blurred background enhance the intimate feel of the moment.What follows is a crime caper kind of film, various heists and a woman finding her way to loving life again. Things start to go wrong when Corey starts helping himself to things he shouldn’t, it’s these little trinkets that sound the alarm ringing for the owners and the team are soon under investigation. Bret wants to quit but Emma is fully signed up for the criminal life and insist they carry on.

It shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it does. For me at least. It’s not as obvious as you think it is and if it wasn’t an indie film with a small budget then it might have done better than it did. Fair enough, it’s another where you’ve to switch your brain off. It’s never going to challenge you cerebrally, it doesn’t try to do. You’re just along for the ride. And it’s a fun one.

Virginia Madsen absolutely steals the show in this one without a doubt It’s her movie and she probably actually makes the movie so good. That’s not to say she carries it, but well she kind of does at the same time. It’s almost the perfect vehicle for her talents.
Virginia Madsen as Emma Becker in Artworks. She sits in a chair, turned slightly to the side, with a thoughtful yet engaged expression as she looks at someone off-camera. Her curly blonde hair frames her face, and she wears a black blouse. The simple, neutral background keeps the focus on her expression and body language.For whatever reason the movie seemed to score well with critics when it was doing the rounds but seems largely ignored by the masses. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 8% which should be criminal.

No hesitation in recommending this one, it’s a firm favourite of mine in Virginia Madsen’s catalogue. Even if you don’t think you’ll like the actual movie then it should be watched for her performance alone. A true gem.

Availability:

Not hard to find on Region 1 DVD and Amazon Prime have it to buy / rent as well. Shouldn’t prove difficult to track down. If all else fails there is always YouTube…

Gallery:

Trailer:

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