Dame Helen Mirren, who never seems to be out of work, appears in this drama involving the reclaiming of an unusual painting, (incorporating gold-leaf effect), by Austrian Gustav Klimt, under the assumed title which is used for this film. This family-heirloom painting (actually of Mirren character's aunt, whose name is the work's true title), having been removed from her home by the Nazis after the Austrian 'Anschluss', it remained post-war on public display in one of Vienna's principal art galleries. Mirren is resolved to get it back into her possession in L.A. where she now lives, enlisting the assistance of attorney Ryan Reynolds, who happens to be the grandson of influential composer Arnold Schoenberg. (Did you get all that?)
I thought the film rather stodgy in execution, over-serious and heavy-going with little to lighten the mood, most especially in numerous flashbacks of the young Maria Altmann's (the Mirren character when a child) Jewish family life during the German invasion, starting with house arrest. There are a few fairly distressing scenes of the public humiliations of Jews, though as Maria manages to get out before things reach their extreme depths, we don't see anything of their later horrific fate. Nevertheless the mood is unremittingly grim.
Even in the present-day legal scenes, first in Vienna and then in America, as Maria and her lawyer have to jump through hoops to achieve her dream, it all remains very sombre.
Helen Mirren, retaining an Austrian accent, is as good as we've come to expect.
Director Simon Curtis had exhibited for me a better, more assured, touch with his 'My Night with Marilyn'.
Incidentally, reading the film's credits just now, I see that what stood in for Vienna's airport was, in fact, our own local Shoreham airport, just five miles from where I am now sitting.
This is a film that takes its subject with a seriousness which, arguably, it merits. However I think it was less 'entertainment' than history lesson. Although I was aware of the work of art in question, I had no idea of its story, so in that sense it was an education. But I didn't exit the cinema thinking "Wow, that was worth the effort!" even though on one level it had enlightened me. The truth was that I felt rather weighed down by the story and came out longing for some light relief...............................5.5.
Ray,
ReplyDeleteHelen Mirren is one of my favorite actresses. She is always very watchable and she is likable. However, I agree with you about films that are too "heavy." I may skip this one. Thanks for the review.
Ron
She is always good, Ron, so if as an admirer you're 'collecting' her films 'Bette Davis fashion', then you might well want to give this one a chance. It's not a bad film at all. I suspect that my increasing aversion for seeing yet more films concerning WWII has probably played a part in my rating the film lower than many others have done.
DeleteI'll take your suggestion Ray. Thanks!
DeleteRon - a hint. Film may be improved while supping a glass or three of red.
Deletewe saw previews for this film when we saw "the second best exotic marigold hotel"; it looked interesting.
ReplyDeletePS - you may want to add spouse's blog to your list: arteejee.blogspot.com.
If you want a serious evening out, A.M., this'll do that very job.
DeleteI have, in fact, had RTG's blog on my list for a few months now and always read them whenever he has anything new to say. I'll try to fix it so that his blog-title comes up wherever my list appears.
Even though I'm not familiar with a lot of the newer movies, I always thoroughly enjoy reading your reviews and absorbing your intelligent observations.
ReplyDeleteThis film does seem a bit tedious, but it's interesting that they used your local Shoreham airport in place of Vienna.
It was certainly getting on for being tiresome, Jon, though as I've indicated to Ron, above, my weary attitude towards an interminable line of films involving some aspect of the Second World War may have played a part in my reaction.
DeleteOur local airport is only a tiny one, more used as a base for gliding clubs than even for domestic flights, so it was a little surprising to learn that it was employed as that for a large capital city, albeit many decades ago. However, that was also before public flights had begun being used big-time, so the scale of the airport may have been close enough to Vienna's in the 1930s.
I'd read such mixed, even negative reviews of this Ray that I'd already discounted it. Which is a shame as I always love Helen Mirren. Perhaps I'm a bit like you and tired of WW2 based story and plot lines. I need to be uplifted! Gee... what would do that? Something towards the end of May? As for Shoreham airport standing in for Vienna - I suppose 1940's Vienna airport might work!
ReplyDeleteCraig, the general critical view that I'd picked up was that this is a 'middling' sort of film, though the current average rating by the public on IMDb is a high-ish 7.5. For me it left a lot to be desired and I wouldn't advise anyone to go out of their way to catch it.
ReplyDeleteThe airport didn't look incongruous, the building seen shown from outside only. It was about the size we see of other major city airports in films for the period at that time and later.
Ive just read your LOVE IS STRANGE review ( i didnt read it before because i knew i was seeing it tonight)
ReplyDeleteYour review was bloody good!
(Though manny wasnt the object if my affection!)
Ta for that, J.G. I've just read again what I said about it but see nothing special there. More importantly there's nothing opinion-wise that I'd wish to change.
DeleteSo, if it wasn't the hottie cop you were lusting after as I was, can only wonder whereto your eyes were drawn. Surely not Marisa Tomei? (Though why not?)
No the othe cop was mighty fine
ReplyDeleteI think he played the hero in flight 93
I didn't recognise him from the earlier pic, but maybe should have. Still leaves the question to you open though, but shan't pursue it.
DeleteI am very surprised at those who think Helen Mirren did a good Austrian/Viennese accent. Both of my parents escaped from Vienna in December of 1938. I also have known many other Viennese who escaped. Her accent did not sound like them at all. My sister , who saw the movie, independently of me, felt exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteWhat you say is interesting, Gail. I wonder, then, where Helen Mirren got her accent from as she's believed to be particularly studious in doing preparatory work for the roles she takes on.
DeleteI've got a nephew who's lived in Vienna for something like 15 years, though he's not a great film-watcher. I wonder if I could persuade him to see even a snippet of it to see what he thinks.
To me, a German speaker - or at least I used to be more fluent than I am now - her accent just sounded a bit odd but I put that down to my not being overly-familiar with a Viennese, or even Austrian accent.
Thanks for your comment, though.