Incognito

Plot synopsis:
Harry Donovan (Jason Patric) is a talented and enterprising painter who takes in large amounts of cash for his expert forgeries of old masters he produces for clients. Keeping a low profile he is disconnected with his own artistic capabilities and his drive to produce the fake work of old masters is in part an ignoring of his own inner purpose. His father (Rod Steiger), from the Ash Can school is aging and castigates Harry for not following his own artistic merits to follow through on his plan to have his own show with a respectable gallery. However, Harry is disappointed once again, and a gallery rejects to give an exhibition with his paintings. The father is sick with age, he also tried to become a painter, but is not famous.Harry meets up with a group of gallery owners lead by Alastair Davis (Thomas Lockyer) who is seeking an old master to sell for a high price. With Turley (Ian Richardson), Tom Agachi (Togo Igawa) and Iain (Simon Chandler) to raise the funding they go to Harry and offer him $500,000 for a forgery of a Rembrandt. During his research for a lost master Harry discovers a Rembrandt from 350 years ago when it was being transported from Rotterdam to Spain and begins recreating in specific detail the lost painting down to using materials that have been out of use for centuries. During his activities in Paris, Harry meets a young and endearing woman Prof. Marieke van den Broeck (Irène Jacob) who initially introduces herself as a student but in fact is a professor and an authority on Rembrandt. She and Harry are taken with each other and sleep together before Harry leaves for Amsterdam to fabricate his masterpiece. Harry -who told her that he was an art professor- wanted to see her again on another date, but she refuses and remains elusive. The clerk of the hostel where Marieke is staying sees them making love. Marieke also leave a not on her pillow saying "You've been wonderful."The process is tiresome: the pigments, the canvas, the frame... everything has to be perfect. After completing the canvas Harry brings it to Spain for Alastair and his retinue but the art dealers decline to pay Harry the money until they have established from art experts that the painting is real. The critics are attracted by being offered the information that it's a Díaz de la Peña painting which has just been found. Marieke is the most important critic, as she belongs to the board for Rembrandt authentifications, and she is the only one who says that she doesn't believe it's a true Rembrandt. It could have been done by one of his alumni. When Alastair decides to sell the painting at auction Harry disagrees and takes the painting with him. Obviously, the rest disagree with him, but Harry threatens them with Alistair's own gun.Although Harry fires the gun, he doesn't kill anyone. However, when the police go after him, he is accused of killing Agachi. He kidnaps Marieke, who is outraged because Harry has lied to her. As a pursuit ensues across the French, and English borders Harry and Marieke handcuffed together learn many things about each other. Marieke is accused of being an accomplice of Harry, while Alastair tries to get his hands on the fake Rembrandt again. Marieke and Harry argue about what art is, the outrageous quantities of money paid for paintings of dead paintors who died in abject poverty.Harry can't sell his fake Rembrandt. The murder frightens everybody. Two thugs finally accept to pay 100,000 in cash, but they are just Alastair's men trying to get it for free. Harry fights one of them. When Harry gets in touch with one of his contacts, the police is waiting there. Harry runs away, and throws the painting into a garden fire. However, the painting survives.Harry is judged. He says that he painted the fake Rembrandt, but nobody believes him. Only Marieke says that it's a fake. However, she's discredited in front of the jury because of her love/sex relationship with Harry. From gaol, Harry tries to contact his own father, who doesn't want Harry to worry about him. Harrys' father knew about his illegal business, but he never judged him, although he tried to encourage Harry to paint his own works. Alastair visits Harry on jail, and tells him harsh and cruelly that his father has died of a weak heart.Marieke tells Iain that he should be careful, as Alastair Davies may decide to get rid of him as he got rid of Tom Agachi. Eventually, Harry's barrister arranges the final proof: Harry will paint another copy in front of the jury. The judge accepts, although Harry finally is unable to do it - the eyes of his father - his inspiration for the blind eyes of Rembrandt's father - prevents him to go on living making cons.Everything is going bad for Harry. Iain is the last witness. He confesses that Alastair Davies killed Tom Agachi. Alastair goes frantic and threatens to kill him. The judge holds Alastair in contempt, and sends him to jail without bail until a new judgement is set. Iain keeps the painting.Harry is freed, but it's Iain who gets the fake Rembrandt. He sells it to a hotel chain in Hong Kong. However, Harry has not said his last word: he tells Juan del Campo (Ricardo Montez) that he's been cheated. The Spanish government considers the Rembrandt part of Spain's national patrimony, so they have the right to pay the money it was auctioned for and take it to Spain. Because of Juan's ownership, the money will go to him. His lawyer tells Iain this when he's celebrating the great success of selling the fake Rembrandt as a true painting, in his luxurious gallery. They can't do anything about it.The del Campo family wants to share with Harry Donovan some of his rightfully-theirs money. After taxes, there are 600 million pesetas for the family, and they give a part to Harry Donovan.He tries to locate Marieke. He also tries to paint his own materials. The first one is a portrait of Marieke. She finally arrives to look at the painting.Harry Donovan and Marieke kiss passionately.

Tags: neo noir, murder

Review:
A relatively unknown movie, I bumped onto it as it was shown on the TV: I started viewing it hoping it to be at least watchable, and I was pleasantly surprised to realize that in fact it was really good.The story is about a highly talented arts forger (Patrick), who agrees to paint a fake Rembrandt picture for $500,000.
However, things get complicated when a girl he sleeps with (Jacob) happens to be one of the experts to judge its authenticity, and she gives the painting thumbs down.
As if this were not enough, his employers change their tune with him, and this is when everything turns rather sour...Jason Patrick is really good in his role; so good in fact, that I re-aligned my overall rating for him completely after this movie (it wasn't that high before that, as you can imagine).
Irene Jacob is also good as his girlfriend, while Rod Steiger plays a small role but still manages to remind us of his grand standing.
All in all, a surprisingly good film: 8/10..
I have seen this movie more times than any other.
There is something unusual about this movie: you like it but can not really figure out what exactly makes you feel that way.
The movie lets you roam around the inner circles of art and forgery.
Probably all this adds up to make it a movie that one enjoys watching, any time, all the time..
A bit of a pleasant surprise (considering its lack of theatrical release in the NY area), Incognito is a fairly involving drama/thriller involving a disturbed artist who's gotten so entangled in the underworld of art forgery he's never formed an identity of his own...he does a great Rembrandt, but Irene Jacob spots it as a fake, which both infuriates and attracts him...a murder occurs and the pursuit is on, with him trying to clear his name and trying to become a "real" artist...Patric is a little too brooding and pouty, making him hard to like for much of the film (C.
Depp could make him a much more sympathetic "bad" boy), but beautiful location work (widescreen, too -- I saw the laserdisc -- on video it's probably a mess) and the lovely & talented Ms. Jacob make it a surprisingly unique experience...check it out..
Yes, the production values of INCOGNITO (especially the gauzy photography) smack of "B" Level production, this film shines for a few reasons, most notably the peek into the world of Art, Art History and Art Forgery.
Anyone who considers themselves curious about both Rembrandt, his place in the art world, and the art world's place in history will enjoy this movie.
This movie's depiction of the steps in the creation of a counterfeit masterpiece are possibly the best half-hour of film I've ever seen.
Especially good are the performances of Rod Steiger, Jason Patric and Irene Jacob..
It's Different, But Like The Fake Painting You Know It Could Be Better.
Although sometimes way too slow-moving and not as involving as it should have been, this film was almost a "keeper" in my collection.The story was different, and I liked it, about an artist producing a fake Rembrandt.
Jason Patric, an interesting and underrated actor, played the role on the con 'artist,' so to speak.
She was likable, unlike Patric's character.There are some interesting moments in this film, particularly for those who love art.
Its dialogue on the true meaning of great art is truly interesting, even if simplistic (but not relative to most films out there).I thought Patric was pretty good,  but it's the script itself that does most of the work.The scenery and imagery is also fantastic..
The cooperation of editing and screenplay is very good, it made me feel like watching some James Bond movies ...
I also loved the pace of this pleasantly surprising film, it flew with no significant faults.
I've watched this movie four times so far and would watch it again tonight to share it with someone special.
My wife never watches a movie more than once but has viewed this one three times.
Her comment was that there is something about this movie that makes you want to see it again.They should have eliminated the scene with the telephone booth because the lock on the outside of the booth made no sense at all.
My recommendation is that you buy the movie instead of renting it because you will want to watch it again and again.
Well, not technically sound all the way through, but for 2am on HBO, this is quite a good little movie.
Patric seems a little lost, and the whole thing with his father isn't done very well, but Jacob is always nice to watch, and there were enough interesting parts and nice shots, to keep one's attention.
this movie takes drama, thrills, and even art to a completely new level.
i cannot believe this movie hasn't won the most awards in the history of film.
"You don't like people," says Marieke to Harry Donovan, challenging him to name one counter-example.
The angry-but-brilliant artist is a cliché, but Jason Patric makes it work.
His character finds some sort of healing in his rendering his father into a fake Rembrandt he makes in the movie, at the same time melding his relationship to his father into his own psyche.
I would like to have seen more art and art commentary in this movie, but you can learn a lot from it..
This is slightly better than a good TV movie.
The grand art forgery swindle game is interesting, but Jason Patrick is rather irritating with his big mouth and surly attitude toward everyone, sort of like the tempermental artist, and it gets a bit tiresome.
The plot has a few good twists, and if you're not expecting the world it's an Ok flick.
The story about a an art forger who fakes a Rembrandt picture is a quite good one, and was a relieving difference from most other B-thrillers.
Although I doubt that the way he fakes the painting is possible in real life, it was very well made for this film.
That doesn't matter much here, because it's the story that makes this a pretty good movie.
The film takes place in Europe, something I liked for a change..
How good the movie can be???.
Incognito is the best movie ever!!!only 4 movies are almost that good,after dark,my sweet,sliver,bridget jones`s diary and road trip...so this movie was just amazing!!!how somebody can do and act something like that?i think Jason Patric was WONDERFUL!!!!!and when that art what Harry Donovan had made of Rembrandt"blind man" went to the museum...oh my god!!
Both Emmanuelle Beart and Jacob should stick with French scripts that draw upon their prodigious acting talent, rather than exploit them as female 'scenery.'  English is not the medium for Irene to accomplish this, as all her ability apparently is funneled into pronouncing the words correctly.
Acceptable Art Forgery thriller Starring Jason Patric.
Harry Donovan is an art forger who paints fake Rembrandt picture for $500,000.
The girl he meets & gets into bed with in Paris, Marieke turns out to be an arts expert.
I knew this was going going to be a class A film but it does give a good the peek into the world of Art, Art History & Art Forgery.
Anyone who considers themselves curious about Rembr&t, his place in the art world, & the art world's place in history will enjoy this movie.
There are some interesting moments in this film, particularly for those who love art.
Jordan Katz's screenplay is full of authoritative, fascinating facts about how art is variously made, copied, authenticated & exposed as fake.
'Incognito' could serve as a handy tool for teaching courses in the detection of art forgery.
Directed by John Badham, a Hollywood hack with a decent commercial track record (Saturday Night Fever, Short Circuit, War Games, Stakeout) Jason Patrick is really good in his role Patric is believable in his role as a suffering artist & skillfully shifts from unlikable to sympathetic.
; Irene Jacob is also good as his girlfriend (she is known for her films with Krzysztof Kieslowski) Rod Steiger plays a small role but still has the staying power of the great actor we know.
The romance with Jacobs, who plays, Marieke van den Broeck, reminds us of a "39 Steps" Hitchcock kind of way.
The European locales (Dutch, Spanish,Parisian) are very much like paintings & the director & cinematographer did a good job here.
The movie looked pretty poor on my big screen HDTV.
than- for the right way to translate an art thief story in a romantic thriller with inspired new details.
short, a film who use Rembrandt in wise manner and who has the art to propose to a large target a simple, fascinating and seductive story of love, art and secrets who can change everything..
This film has a great story line and acting.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE BEAUTIFUL:.
Tragically uneven, INCOGNITO features beautiful European scenery..and an engaging look into the world of fine art.As a suspense thriller, it offers as many twists and turns as the viewer can handle, but repeatedly slows and stumbles through underdeveloped sub-plots, and shallow performances by the main characters.
Irene Jacob is a wonderful actress, as witnessed in the two Kieslowski movies, but can't deliver the vague Prof.
As for the storyline featuring Rod Steiger, and his relationship with his son (Patric), it starts slow, before totally petering out all together.Interesting and beautiful as a travelogue, it's worth the rent if you stick with it to the end..
I thought "Incognito" was an excellent movie, a slightly offbeat thriller that keeps you guessing till the very end.An artist who specializes in forgeries is approached with an offer he can't resist -- paint a 'lost' Old Master.
Talented *and* smart!The artist is played by the sexy Jason Patric.
Entertaining when it stuck to the world of art forgery.
This film was entertaining and fast-moving when it dealt with the world of art forgery.
The scenes depicting how a brilliant forger (Jason Patric) created a "lost Rembrandt" were amazing -- I loved how he bought black-market 160-year-old lead white paint so its radioactive half-life would be down to zero.
Rod Steiger was completely wasted as Patric's ailing father, a minor character who doesn't even rate an on-camera scene in the second half of the film.
The most real thing about this film was forgery, oddly enough, and it was Incognito's saving grace..
Art forgery cloned into a James Bond" movie, with an utterly bad script.
To think that a judge and jury would sit "spellbound" for hours on end watching Jason Patric paint a "masterpiece" in an afternoon is beyond ridiculous.
And speaking of Jason Patric, his character is so unlikable that the only one to sympathize with is the long suffering audience.
Rod Steiger is totally wasted, and so was my hour and forty eight minutes, watching this total nonsense.
THE WORLD OF ART AND LARCENY...I liked it....
I was too far away from the remote control late one night and ended up watching the beginning of a cheap looking HBO movie.
Thank goodness it turned into an interesting movie, the rest of the film was spent clothed.Looking at the other comments, I'm disappointed that more didn't realize that the art was the show.
An English language foreign intrigue film, "Incognito" sticks Jason Patric in the spotlight as a forger of classical paintings with an attitude who is consigned to paint a Rembrandt while having to juggle pigments and palettes, father/son issues, a lovely art expert (Jacob), a bunch of art dealer/fences, a murder, and eventually a court of law.
Though Patric's limited acting ability is evident throughout, there is sufficient material in this film to make it interesting if not engrossing.
You'll get to see how a forgery might be done, some good European shooting locations, and Jacob topless while the film examines issues with some depth such as why a forger can't make a legit buck when he paints better than the old master he's forging, etc.
Probably a more worthy film than its obvious absence of accolades would suggest, "Incognito" should prove and enjoyable watch for fans of the players and anyone with an interest in classical painting.
Well, I was surprised, this film ain't that bad.
I wasn't expecting much but by the end, I quite enjoyed it.Badham's direction is fair, he didn't always make good use of the frame and show off the European cities.
The acting isn't bad, quite good actually.
Jason Patric produces a worthy performance here.
The female lead is pretty good, the French certainly produce some terrific actresses.The plot does feature a few problems, but still, a lot of it ain't bad.
The film wasn't always running at a consistent pace and a few scenes were rushed.
a film about art.
a film about Rembrandt in a special style.
short - a clever film with elements of art history, thriller, crumbs of Hitchcock and full of beautiful images.
because action near love, art near chase, conspiracies near industry of fake masterpieces, delicate homage to Rembrand near need to survive and, a beautiful couple are ingredients for everyone..
Intriguing glimpses of the art world make this a not bad time-waster.
What makes this film interesting are some fascinating looks at the art world.
The detailed reconstruction of an art forgery.
The superbly photographed English coutryside and the beautiful Irene Jacob (doing what she has to do in an undemanding role).Jason Patric is miscast as the art forger and there is some hammy overacting by Thomas Lockyer as the arch villain.
The plot degenerates into a pseudo Hitchcockian chase and all ends in a trial scene with a rather contrived plot twist.All in all the film does try to be different and has a pleasant look about it..
It is a well acted movie, especially by Irene Jacob, but even Jason Patric does a an OK job.
For example, in the beginning Harry (Jason Patric) is seen running from the police on TV.
I can understand the lock to be on the inside (Harry's side) but on the outside?!Yet if you'd like to see a well structured, yet flawed thriller, see "Incognito".
It's one of those British crime dramas in which people walk around in Saville Row suits, visit Paris and Spain at will, and drive Jaguars -- and the plot centers around a fake Rembrandt painted by Jason Patric, who is double crossed by a couple of co-conspirators and aided by art expert Irene Jacob.The sociologist Dean Maccannel, in his book "The Tourist: A New Theory of the Leisure Class", has a delightful anecdote about a group of young American tourists in the Louvre or the Prado or someplace, noticing that a number of paintings were designated as having been executed by P.
Ignotus's work, rushing from hanging to hanging, exclaiming, "Oh, here's another one by Ignotus!" This has nothing to do with the movie unless I want to squeeze it in by saying that I was reminded of Maccannel's story by an argument the fakers are having near the beginning of the film.
The production of this fake has taken a long time and Patric has not signed it as Rembrandt van Rijn.
The others (who are supposed to be art experts) want him to sign it so they can be sure they'll palm it off as the real thing.
But Patric knows (as they should) that not every artist signs every one of his works, Rembrandt included.
(I think Michelangelo signed only one of his works, La Pieta, although flamboyantly.) It's kind of interesting to watch Patric fake the painting.
The rest of the movie -- with the thieves and murderers in pursuit of Patric and Jacobs -- is kind of routine, with one or two scenes very redolent of Hitchcock.
It simply doesn't seem too original and hasn't much in the way of sparkle.Except for Irene Jacob, the art expert who falls for Jason Patric for reasons that escape me because he looks quite ordinary.
Badham, the director, is tasteful enough to have her disrobe on camera.The film ends in a trial which is pretty tense and enjoyable, although not in the slightest believable.
On trial for murder, Patric has a chance to prove his innocence by reproducing the faked Rembrandt in court, which he can do in a jiffy.
In London, Harry Donovan (Jason Patric) is arrested for the murder of a Rembrandt owner.
Harry is an art forger in NYC struggling to get his own work noticed.
He goes to Amsterdam to study Rembrandt and decides to fake a lost picture.
However it turns out that she is the pre-eminent Rembrandt expert and she is the only one who won't authenticate his picture.The movie is solid for the first half.
Then the movie suggests that Harry killed the Japanese guy.
The movie should show the bad guy killing the Japanese dude after Harry leaves right at that point.
Once the courtroom scene starts, the movie stops making sense..
This movie has art forgery, romance and evasion from the law.
It is the type of movie that I should like, but after a promising start, it fails to deliver very well on any of the themes.The forgery aspect is handled fairly well, although the writers seem not to have heard of diffraction spectroscopy or any of the other post-xray methods in use which would probably have detected the forgery without difficulty.
DeMille once observed when a plot hole was pointed out to him, nobody will notice if you keep the movie going, because "you can't see the teeth on a buzzsaw." That is only true, however, when the saw is turned on and the teeth are in motion.In this film, the romance never feels right, and only serves to slow down the action.