The Woman in Gold is a little-guy-takes-on-the-establishment story. It is based on true events, and follows the fortunes of Maria Altmann and her lawyer Randy Schoenberg as they sue the Austrian government in their attempt to have a world famous painting returned to its rightful owner.
The painting in question is Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I which, like many works of fine art, was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Since that time this painting has become world-renowned and a virtual icon of Austrian culture. The odds of having the Austrian government willingly part with this painting (valued at 100 million dollars) seem slim; nevertheless, one neophyte Californian lawyer and his elderly Austrian client decide to try.
I am intrinsically a sucker for such movies. In today's world of corporate greed, international cartels and government corruption, who doesn't thirst for justice for the "little guy" or "little old Austrian lady" in this case.
The painting in question is Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I which, like many works of fine art, was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Since that time this painting has become world-renowned and a virtual icon of Austrian culture. The odds of having the Austrian government willingly part with this painting (valued at 100 million dollars) seem slim; nevertheless, one neophyte Californian lawyer and his elderly Austrian client decide to try.
I am intrinsically a sucker for such movies. In today's world of corporate greed, international cartels and government corruption, who doesn't thirst for justice for the "little guy" or "little old Austrian lady" in this case.
What stands out in this movie is the quality of the production. Oscar winner Helen Mirren (The Queen 2006) turns in another flawless performance; her accent is perfect, her elderly gait, her fiery temperament, all just hitting the right tone. Maria is a complex character. There are several moments in the movie when she must make a decision, one way or the other, about how she will proceed with the court case. On almost every occasion I am surprised by her decision. I am never left feeling, 'oh yes, this is how the story must now unfold.' I can think of few actors who handle complex characters better than Helen Mirren.
The movie, quite necessarily, involves many flashbacks to Maria's time in Vienna and the Nazi occupation. Never have I seen flashbacks handled with such grace, with such a lack of intrusion. Never do they seem to interrupt the flow of the movie. In director Simon Curtis's hands they seem as faithful a rendering of one woman's memory as it is possible to portray on screen.
The movie, quite necessarily, involves many flashbacks to Maria's time in Vienna and the Nazi occupation. Never have I seen flashbacks handled with such grace, with such a lack of intrusion. Never do they seem to interrupt the flow of the movie. In director Simon Curtis's hands they seem as faithful a rendering of one woman's memory as it is possible to portray on screen.
Finally it is worth commenting on the sound quality of the movie. Every word of dialogue is crystal clear. Never does music or background sound interfere; it is perfectly balanced, enhancing, rather than competing with the actors' words. This is not as common an experience as one would expect in today's movies.
The Woman in Gold is a very rewarding cinematic experience: an exciting, complex, satisfying, (yet not overly-predictable) story. The acting is first-class, the direction strong and understated. I will be quite surprised if Helen Mirren's performance does not win her another Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
very strong 8/10 www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJeX6iIlO0
The Woman in Gold is a very rewarding cinematic experience: an exciting, complex, satisfying, (yet not overly-predictable) story. The acting is first-class, the direction strong and understated. I will be quite surprised if Helen Mirren's performance does not win her another Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
very strong 8/10 www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJeX6iIlO0
