Paint (2023) | Film Review

If you should know anything going into Paint, it’s that this is not a docudrama on the late artist Bob Ross. Despite Owen Wilson dressing like Ross, speaking in slow, calculated rhythms like Ross, and wearing a wig that is almost a carbon copy of Ross’ coifed perm… this is not about Bob Ross. Promise.

Owen Wilson stars as Carl Nargle, the famous host of a Burlington, VT PBS show, where each episode Nargle paints various landscapes akin to what that other artist who shall not be named or reference did once upon a time. For decades, Nargle has dominated the airwaves as a local celebrity due to his soothing, calming demeanor, as well as the hearts of the local female population with his whispers of wisdom.

Carl is in for a rude awakening though, after his station head, Tony (Stephen Root), suggests his show Paint should air two hours back-to-back to goose up the ratings and Carl refuses. Therefore, Tony brings in a younger, more charismatic painter in Ambrosia (Ciara Renée). She instantly captivates the area with her energetic and expansive artistic ideas, not too mention captures the eye of the only woman Carl has ever truly loved, the station’s assistant GM Katherine (Michaela Watkins). Suddenly, Carl Nargle is forced to face his own legacy as both a person and an artist.

As far as performances go, all of the actors are sharp and engaging. Root is always on point, Watkins wears a nice balance of frenetic and endearing, while Renée is enchanting. That said, Paint belongs to Owen Wilson and his winsome portrayal of “not Bob Ross”. The actor capitalizes on his “wow” charms and comedic chops to deliver a pitch-perfect caricature of an artist who is not the focus of this film whatsoever, despite the mannerisms, backdrop, and hair being almost exactly the same.

Which is what makes Paint so perplexing: what exactly is it trying to do? There are so many nods and references to Bob Ross himself, yet writer-director Brit McAdams’ tone is often satiric while other times played straight. The film as a whole is somewhat of a conundrum: it is a solid 90 minutes of material, yet continuously feels like a confusing road to nowhere. As we careen towards the conclusion – which goes one step further than ridiculous – the overall purpose becomes even more unclear.

Paint is akin to one of Carl Nargle’s paintings, pleasant enough to watch, but by the end, you’re really not left with much to ponder. That said, if there ever truly is a proper Bob Ross biopic, I think we have found the perfect actor to capture his very essence. Let’s just utilize grander brush strokes the next time out.