John Travolta Studies Art Forgery for 'The Forger' Filmed at MFA, Boston
- September 16, 2014 12:25
Actor John Travolta took some lessons in making fake paintings from forgers in Hong Kong and the U.S.. Travolta says he was prepping for his role in the crime thriller 'The Forger' which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 12.
Travolta, who co-stars with Oscar winner Christopher Plummer and newcomer Tye Sheridan, plays a second-generation petty thief who orchestrates an early release from prison through a dubious character. In return for the favor, he is made to pull off a major heist. Copying an Impressionist masterpiece is part of his deal with the criminal syndicate. Travolta says he actually tried his hand at forging Monet's Woman with Parasol to get into character for the role.
The film was shot around Boston, including scenes at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It is the first major motion picture to be filmed at the museum.
A family drama was part of the story that struck Travolta. He told the Global Post, "To save his son's life and his father's life and to try to make something logical out of something that's completely caught up with him by doing this kind of forging -- and the grandfather- father-son relationship, I loved it, it spoke to me ... I thought it was unique piece of literature."
A background in art also helped him ease into the role. "My grandfather was an artist, my father was, and it was in the family," Travolta said. "I studied a little bit, I loved Edward Hopper. I did watercolors, oil painting was newer to me, so studying with a man in Hong Kong helped me quite a bit. But the forgers also helped me understand the thinking behind authenticity and forgery. "
![Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.](/images/c/e2/2e/Jan20_Rape_of_Europa100x100_c.jpg "Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.")
