Loving Vincent - Characters & Cast

Initially, his motivation is purely out of obligation to his father, Postman Joseph Roulin. However, as the mystery deepens and he uncovers the complexities of Vincent's life, his motivation shifts to a personal need to understand the truth behind the artist's death and to honor his memory.

Armand begins his journey as a cynical and resentful young man, viewing his task to deliver Vincent's letter as a pointless chore. He initially holds a disdainful view of the artist. As he interviews those who knew Vincent, his skepticism gradually dissolves, replaced by empathy and a deep-seated respect for the artist's struggles and genius. He transforms from a detached observer into an advocate for Vincent's humanity, profoundly changed by the journey.

Vincent's primary motivation was an overwhelming compulsion to capture the world's beauty and emotion on canvas. He sought connection and understanding through his art and his letters, particularly with his brother Theo. His actions were driven by a desire to justify his existence and repay his brother's faith, a pressure that ultimately contributed to his despair.

Vincent's character is revealed entirely through flashbacks and the memories of others. The film presents a non-linear arc, showing him in moments of calm creativity, brotherly affection, intense despair, and social ostracization. The arc is not one of development but of revelation, as the audience pieces together the different facets of his personality, from a gentle soul who loved nature to a man tormented by mental illness and a sense of being a burden.

His motivation appears to be a mix of genuine care for Vincent, a fascination with his genius, and a personal frustration with his own perceived artistic failures. He is motivated to protect his reputation and perhaps assuage his own guilt over the argument he had with Vincent shortly before his death.

Dr. Gachet is presented as a complex and enigmatic figure. He is introduced as Vincent's doctor and a fellow art lover, a potential kindred spirit. However, as Armand investigates, Gachet's character becomes more ambiguous. He is portrayed as both a compassionate friend and a man with his own frustrated artistic ambitions and a potentially volatile temper. His final confrontation with Vincent reveals a relationship fraught with professional jealousy and personal guilt, leaving his role in Vincent's final days open to interpretation.

Her primary motivation is to protect the memory of her relationship with Vincent and to guard her own privacy. She is torn between loyalty to her father and her affection for the artist. Her pivotal quote, "You want to know so much about his death, but what do you know of his life?", reveals her desire for Vincent to be understood as a person, not just a tragic figure.

Marguerite is initially portrayed as withdrawn and secretive, living in the shadow of her domineering father. Her interactions with Armand reveal a deep, though possibly platonic, connection with Vincent. Her arc is one of opening up, as she moves from defensive denial to a quiet, heartfelt defense of Vincent's character and a poignant admission of their bond. She provides a crucial, intimate perspective on the artist, challenging the more sensational rumors surrounding him.