The Last Vermeer is a 2020 historical drama film directed by Dan Friedkin and written by James McGee, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby. It is based on Jonathan Lopez's book, The Man Who Made Vermeers, and tells the story of Han van Meegeren, a Dutch artist and notorious forger who painted fake Vermeer paintings during World War II.
The film follows Captain Joseph Piller, played by Claes Bang, a Dutch soldier and member of the resistance, as he investigates Han van Meegeren, played by Guy Pearce. Piller is tasked with investigating stolen art in the Netherlands in the wake of World War II. He discovers that van Meegeren sold a Vermeer painting to Hermann Göring, a high-ranking Nazi official, and must determine whether van Meegeren is a collaborator or simply a clever forger trying to survive.
Piller's investigation of van Meegeren leads him on a journey through the Dutch art world, including dealings with corrupt art dealers, politicians, and Nazi officials. As Piller uncovers more about the art forgery, he begins to empathize with van Meegeren and questions whether he is truly a criminal.
The Last Vermeer is a thrilling and suspenseful film that explores the complexity of art, survival, and justice in the aftermath of war. It received mixed reviews from critics but is praised for its strong performances, especially from Guy Pearce, who portrays van Meegeren with charm and complexity.