Review of My Kid Could Paint That

Art collectors are chumps

Marla Olmstead was only four years old when she became the subject of countless articles and news stories around the world. Her abstract art canvases were selling for thousands of dollars and hails of 'genius' and 'prodigy' readily flowed from the mouths of collectors and dealers. Her parents were quite happy to seize the opportunities presented to Marla, especially her father, himself a painter who never saw success.

Director Amir Bar-Lev catches up with the family intending to make a documentary on this remarkable child and the state of modern art. About halfway through his process of shooting, however, a 60 Minutes piece airs on Marla that casts serious doubt on the authorship of the paintings being sold in her name. This catalyzes the doubt Bar-Lev was already feeling and pushes him to investigate further into her process and the possible influence of her mother, father, and even younger brother on the final product. Marla and her family quickly go from being stars to pariahs in their small community and back again, the whole process documented in the course of My Kid Could Paint That. What results is a fascinating portrait of ambition, greed, and wishful thinking. An extended scene in which Bar-Lev shows split-screen comparisons of the indisputable Marla paintings to the doubted ones makes for remarkable viewing. As does watching Marla's father squirm as the director directly confronts him about the authenticity of his daughter's art.

Aaron.
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Posted on 02/04/08 by: Aaron 04:49 AM