Overview: While Joseph Piller (Claes Bang), a Dutch Jew, was fighting in the Resistance during the Second World War, the witty, debonair art connoisseur Han van Meegeren (Guy Pearce) was hosting hedonistic soirées and selling Dutch art treasures to Hermann Göring and other top Nazis.

Following the war, Piller becomes an investigator assigned the task of identifying and redistributing stolen art, resulting in the flamboyant van Meegeren being accused of collaboration — a crime punishable by death.

But, despite mounting evidence, Piller, with the aid of his assistant (Vicky Krieps), becomes increasingly convinced of Han's innocence and finds himself in the unlikely position of fighting to save his life.

DVD Verdict: In truth, 'The Last Vermeer' paints an intelligent, intriguing picture of World War II involving art, Nazis and an unlikely Dutch hero.

Dan Friedkin's directorial debut manages to deliver a thriller while offering instruction on the art of Johannes Vermeer. Guy Pearce stars and gives a work of art performance as the flamboyant Han van Meegeren, a Dutch painter, art dealer and enigma who became famous for selling a rare Vermeer to Hitler's second in command, Hermann Göring.

This act led Meegeren to be tried in 1945 as a war criminal. Captain Joseph Piller, played by actor Claes Bang, is the former Dutch Resistance officer who believes Meegeren's innocence, helping and defending him in court.

The screenplay, written by Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (writers of 2007's quite stunning 'First Snow,' also starring Guy Pearce) and John Orloff, is based on an adaptation of Jonathan Lopez's, 'The Man Who Made Vermeers' and holds up pretty well alongside it.

Piller and Van Meegeren existed in real life, and though some dramatic license is taken, much of what we see actually happened. Art experts and politics collided and so it's not surprising that egos ruled the day (not unlike today).

The twist may or may not be a shocker to those who know the story, but it's still fascinating that folks would risk their lives in such a manner during the darkest of times.

It seems opportunists exist regardless of the era. Mr. Bang and Mr. Pearce are both excellent here, and it's quite fun to watch their verbal wranglings and I'm happy to say that Director Friedkin adds an Epilogue that will surely bring a smile to most viewers' faces. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.

'The Last Vermeer' [DVD] will be available February 23rd, 2021 via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Amazon Purchase Link

www.SonyPictures.com

Sony Pictures @ YouTube