We almost feel that we ourselves have accomplished something just by being around while Bruegel doodled.

"The Mill and the Cross" might not be perfect, but it's stimulating, hypnotic and, in its unique way, exciting.

The Mill and the Cross may thrill you. But be prepared for a fight. Twenty minutes in, your companion may throw up his or her arms and complain, "This is like watching a painting dry."

The slow shots are reminiscent of Michael Snow’s experimental video work and Dorota Roqueplo’s lavish costumes. [The Mill and the Cross] will charm anyone who has been entranced by the obsessional quality of Renaissance depictions of cloth and clothing.