A really good look into the discussion of what is or is not art. But I feel like some of the bloggers that this child may be in for some tough times ahead. I wish her well and her poor brother.”
“Dear John, My background, I have a B.S. in Art Education; an MFA in printing and I completed all of the required course work for my PHD in Fine Arts. I taught for 36 years all levels including teaching teachers how to teach art in the classroom. I developed talent in art programs in public schools in the district I worked in. I have exhibited and sold both here and in Europe. This is no prodigy. Any four year old given paint and stuff will do that. Show me her cognitive work and we’ll see. This was daddy’s show all the way. So much for the subject of the film. Good subject and nicely done. Leaves a lot of room for discussion. As to Marla being a prodigy I’ll quote Judge Judy ‘ Don’t pee on my leg and tell me it’s raining.’”
“If a work has intrinsic value as art, does it matter whether it was painted by a four year old alone or with some help? If the answer to this question is yes, why would the fact that a four year old did make a work of art? I believed in the sincerity of the mother. I’m unsure about the father. I disliked Anthony, the art dealer. I hope they earned some money for Zane who will need therapy.”
“Despicable father, the mother should have gone with her instincts. I definitely feel that dad helped her. The mother was extremely naïve. Very well filmed and edited.”
Very important documentary not just because of the possible exploitation of a child, but because our crazy society can get so hepped up about this genius. Save us from ourselves.”
“By the way I think it was a mistake not to show her watching the TV program and not having the reaction of kids her age besides Zane. You can fool most of the people most of the time. I think the film proves that parents, teachers, education, caregivers, adults tend to inhibit children starting at an early age. The Olmsteads didn’t and look what happened! I think this documentary shows how much of the television generation has seeped into the unconscious of our children at a very, very early age and if we let it, can be exhibited in some form of art by age 3. Kudos on this point!”
“From the opening frame, I got very uncomfortable…how will this fame affect this child, her brother, her parents’ relationship. Is she still painting? Showing in galleries? I don’t think I question the authenticity of Marla’s paintings. After all I was a contrary child as well, when an adult asked me to do something. But my heart was really with Laura and her feeling of things spiraling out of her control. Plus, the little brother who spoke of his being able to paint in the womb. Will he grow up jealous and estranged from her sister? Are the parents still married?
"Great film. Marla is a combination of the names of her parents Mark and Laura. Clever. Do I care whether this was painted by Dad or by a 4 year old? No. So I love when critics judge the artist instead of the art, it's all pretentious masterbation. Do I care about modern art at all. Take a wild guess."
“The missing ingredient is a closer look at what 4 yr olds are like. Regardless of whether she did or didn’t do them, the complexities and subtleties of young children at work require exploration.”
“Maybe the moral of this movie is that truth is in the eye of the beholder. Being a teacher of 3, 4 and 5 year olds I believe that Marla is the artist and a very interesting child.”
“The film brings up some interesting and important questions: What is art? Who judges its value? What is the role of marketing? What is the cost of fame? What will people pay? How is value determined? Are talented children exploited? Is the value of a painting about the painting itself or the painter? Would the paintings have the same value if done by an adult?”
"Maybe the most interesting film I've seen in quite a while, especially as it double dips into what is art and what makes a film, and that damned Heisenberg principle. When the filmmaker enters that house he changes the situation, which is perhaps why Mr. Bar-lev began the film with the shot of him and Marla. Very thought provoking, and I cannot visit another museum - something I do with staunch regularity - and look at another piece of modern art without thinking about this film. Maybe that's the highest praise of all.