There are few things I won’t watch Al Pacino do, but save his recent work in Barry Levinson‘s You Don’t Know Jack, the legendary actor has been a bit of a disappointment onscreen in the last few years. That said, news that he’ll be playing master painter Henri Matisse in an upcoming Deepa Mehta (Fire, Earth, Water) directed, Donald Martin-penned biopic (now blandly-titled Masterpiece) puts a little bit of pep in my step. Not being able to attest to the choice of director or writer, the premise alone seems like some nice dramatic fodder for Pacino to paint with.
The film will revolve around “the true story of Matisse’s relationship with his nurse Monique Bourgeois, who also served as the painter’s model and muse” [Variety].
No word yet on who will play Bourgeois, but given Pacino’s involvement, one can only hope for a worthy candidate to sell their relationship. Word has it that casting for female leads will begin soon. The film itself has yet to receive a start date.
Do you think the life of Matisse is a nice way for Pacino to get out of his little slump? Who should play his muse?