Mona Lisa is Missing (2012): Documentary of Peruggia's 1911 Theft of Leonardo's Masterpiece
Mona Lisa is Missing (2012)
by Travis Simpkins
Written and directed by Joe Medeiros, Mona Lisa is Missing (2012), also known as The Missing Piece: Mona Lisa, Her Thief, the True Story, chronicles a filmmaker's 30-year journey to discover the true motive behind Vincenzo Peruggia's 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris. Puruggia's daughter, 84-year-old Celestina, was under the impression that her father stole Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece simply for patriotic reasons… to return the painting to Italy. Medeiros, in witty form, takes a deeper look at the case. Examining original documents and files, conducting interviews and bringing Peruggia's grandchildren along to retrace his footsteps from the theft to the return of the painting, provides an intriguing 90 minutes and brings some new information to light. Medeiros even reviews and debunks the famous Valfierno legend. Many experts provide commentary and insights, including Robert K. Wittman. Overall the film is a superb look at this 103-year-old mystery, and is worthy of the praise it has received.
