Reel Review: The Art Of The Steal went over well at the theaters and the box offices too. It is a documentary about an educational institution and the priceless collection of art. People who went to see this movie gave it a thumbs up. This is the type of movie that has a lot of controversy in it and yet at the same time the preservation of priceless artwork that should or should not be moved from one place to another.
What’s Inside: In 1922, Dr. Barnes formed a remarkable educational institution around his priceless collection of art, located just five miles outside of Philadelphia. Now, more than 50 years later after Barne’s death a powerful group of moneyed interests have gone to court for control of the art, and intend to bring it to a new museum in Philadelphia. These people want to remove the art work and place it somewhere else without giving a second thought to the man that organized and got the institution going in the first place. It should be treated as a landmark for those around it to enjoy and bring their children to see as well. If the artwork is moved, there will probably be trouble because the few former students left of Dr. Barnes are putting up one heck of a battle in keeping the artwork right where it is at, and they have two things going for them, determination and will power.
Wrapping it up: Standing in their way is a group of Barnes former students and his will, which contains strict instructions stating the foundation should always be an educational institution, and that the paintings may never be removed. Will they succeed or will a man’s will be broken and one of America’s greatest cultural monuments be destroyed?
