DVD Review: “My Kid Could Paint That” * * *
Amir Bar-Lev’s “My Kid Could Paint That” chronicles the unsettling story of Marla Olmstead, who first rose to media prominence for her intricate abstract paintings when she was 3 years old. The Binghamton, N.Y. toddler became a sensation in art circles, selling paintings for thousands of dollars, until a February 2005 “60 Minutes” profile by Charlie Rose called into question whether Marla was the sole creator of the work.
This documentary moves into psychodrama after Rose’s piece, as greater criticism is brought to bear on Marla’s parents, Mark and Laura Olmstead, and questions persist as to whether the father “coached” or refined the girl’s art. Some attempts to capture Marla’s painting process result in good documents, while others show an average pre-schooler prone to typical distractions.
“My Kid Could Paint That” never reaches any solid conclusions about the veracity of Marla Olmstead’s work, but it raises questions about the nature and value of abstract art, the virtue of putting children in the spotlight and whether the “60 Minutes” piece constituted good journalism. The DVD includes a follow-up documentary on the aftershocks of the film, and the continuing debate over Marla’s talent. But the real power of “My Kid Could Paint That” comes from the sadness of seeing a sweet-natured, precocious little girl placed under extreme scrutiny. World-class painter or not, Marla Olmstead is a child, and parents with smart children will see “My Kid Could Paint That” as a cautionary tale about the outer limits of nurturing talent.
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But you don’t understand, George… MY kid IS a genius !