It is around 1901. Edward VII is king for a new century and the people want to know who is the artist for the new century. Is it American Sargent, who does portraits of the rich classes, or German Sickert, who instead does works involving the lower classes and the grime they live in? Presenter and director Waldemar Januszczak cannot cope with the unanswered question and sets out for a modern rematch between the two men.
Oh God but what to think of this film! On one hand it does have interesting content as it discusses and reviews the work of Edwardian artists Sargent and Sickert. Januszczak delivers a solid summary of the facts and opinions of the periods looking at the paintings, their composition and the history around the artists and their work. However it tries so hard to be modern and accessible that it almost totally diminishes the strengths in its substance by the nonsense of its style.
This problem is apparent from the very start as the review of the two artists is presented as a sort of boxing match. This approach was clearly aiming to lighten a "dull" subject for modern viewers but the degree to which they take this cosmetically means that they are aiming for an audience they're not going to get and probably alienating the audience they should be looking to get. As presenter and director, almost all of the blame should sit with Januszczak. He comes over far too laddish and jokey pretending like he isn't taking it too seriously despite having made this film. He tries so hard to make his subject and style "accessible" that you can practically taste it. When he is talking about the material, his style doesn't matter too much but there are plenty of times when all he is doing is trying to be all blokey and "not bothered me" about it and it is almost embarrassing to watch.
The boxing match device is a poor one as well. There is really very little direct comparison rather they are just discussed at the same time in regards the same factors but it is certainly not a scrap! Thus, when we are regularly reminded of the boxing match it just jars as an idea and is just another way the film tries to be accessible but falls flat in doing so. Overall then it is frustratingly mixed. The substance is there and will be of interest to those looking to learn about the artists; however the approach screams "dumbed down" far too often and it cheapens the documentary. Unfortunately the effect will probably be that viewers interested in the subject will be turned off while those who might appreciate the style will not be interested enough in the material to be watching it on BBC4 anyway!