Art of the Steal (2010)

My hometown of Philadelphia takes a beating in “Art of the Steal,” a documentary on how the City of Brotherly Love snatched a $25 billion art collection from its “over-my-cold-dead-body” owner. Alas, Albert Barnes is cold and dead. His detractors? Alive and powerful. They want his art. The collection? Chock full of Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Matisse. Swoon. Stuff to make an art lover weep. The problem: Barnes wanted the works outside the city in a rural estate, surrounded by tranquility. He hated the Philly tourist zoo and the rush-job visit so many take at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Director Don Argott absolutely takes Barnes’ side and pisses on Billy Penn’s well-shined face. And … so what? This tale has fascinating talking heads, a gripping pace that left me wondering what happens, even though I knew, and leaves room to scream, “No!” and take the side of the city commissioners and nonprofit Godzillas. Just to see the art on camera is a treat. I want to see the real deals pronto. A