Watch My Kid Could Paint That

My Kid Could Paint That is a documentary film from 2007 which explores the world of abstract art and the controversy that surrounds it. The movie focuses on the story of Marla Olmstead, a four-year-old girl from Binghamton, New York, who gained international fame for her paintings that were praised by art critics and sold for thousands of dollars.

The movie follows Marla's parents, Laura and Mark Olmstead, as they navigate through the media frenzy and public scrutiny that their daughter's talent attracts. The filmmakers, Amir Bar-Lev and J. Clay Tweel, examine the question of whether Marla's paintings are genuinely created by her or if she is being coached by her parents to create them.

The film begins with the footage of Marla painting in her family's basement, something she had been doing since she was two years old. As her paintings gain recognition and attention, artists, collectors, and journalists from all over the world begin to show interest in Marla and her work. The public debate about Marla's talents and skills intensifies when 60 Minutes airs a segment about her in 2004, leading to the Olmsteads being accused of being frauds.

The documentary delves into the contentious dynamics of Marla's family, with her father, Mark, being a passionate supporter of her art and her mother, Laura, being more skeptical and tentative about the whole issue. As the controversy deepens, the film raises concerns about the role of art critics and how much their opinions shape the art world.

My Kid Could Paint That features many interviews with art experts, gallery owners, and collectors who have either lauded Marla's work or questioned its authenticity. The film also includes footage of the Olmsteads in their day-to-day life, revealing their struggles to balance their newfound fame with their family responsibilities.

The documentary takes a thought-provoking look at the nature of creativity and the meaning of art. It raises important questions about the relationship between art and commerce, and whether the value of a work of art lies in its creation or in the story behind it.

Throughout the film, Bar-Lev and Tweel offer no definitive answers to the central question of Marla's talent. Instead, they present a complex and nuanced portrait of a family caught up in a media firestorm and grappling with issues of creativity, authenticity, and trust.

In the end, My Kid Could Paint That asks whether it is possible to separate the image of Marla from her paintings, and whether art can be judged on its own merits, without the hype and controversy that often surrounds it. It is a fascinating exploration of the art world, childhood, and the human need for recognition and validation.

My Kid Could Paint That is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 74.