WOMAN IN GOLD
Director: Simon Curtis
Cast: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Brühl, Katie Holmes
Synopsis: Maria Altman, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family
Well, wasn't this a charming little film. If you don't know the story that this film is based on then my review might have a few spoilers, so just beware. I don't want to ruin it for you, but I might give a few little tidbits away as I'm talking about it. Not on purpose,, but it might just happen, so beware. Now that you've been duly warned, it's time for me to get right into it.
Helen Mirren plays Maria Altman, a Viennese-born resident of Los Angeles, who fled the Nazi invasion, and lost everything that she held dear. Her family, her home, her family heirlooms, and some very lovely artwork, including a wonderful Klimt painting of her aunt, better known as Woman in Gold. The painting along with numerous others was stolen by the Nazis during the invasion. In 1998, she seeks the assistance of a young lawyer, the son of a long-time family friend and believe it or not, the grandson of composer Arnold Schoenberg. They take on the Austrian government to get back the property that is rightfully hers, a painting that she holds dear not for it's monetary value, but for what it means to her, when she sees the painting, she sees her beloved aunt and all the things she's lost.
Maria and Randy in front of Woman in Gold
There is a vaguely educational feel to the film, and there are some extraordinary flashbacks to Vienna in times pre and post invasion, and some flashbacks to a young Maria and her husband fleeing the invasion, which are not quite as heart-wrenching a I thought they might be, they are more heart-warming.
This film is impeccably directed by Simon Curtis, and the events are well narrated and do take you on the emotional journey of both Maria and Randy (Ryan Reynolds). Randy, who doesn't want to take on the project and then refuses to let go, and Maria, who gives up hope when the obstacles become too big.
Mirren and Reynolds really shine in this film, there wouldn't have been many surprises for them, or many liberties they could have taken with their characters, given that this is a true story, but they both do a marvelous job.
The film was nice, and it was well executed and I'm not going to tell you anything else because if you don't know the outcome of this story, then I want you to discover it and enjoy it for yourself. You can do without spending 20-something dollars on it if there's something else you'd rather see, but it's definitely worth a watch.
3 out of 5 for WOMAN IN GOLD
xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell
This film is impeccably directed by Simon Curtis, and the events are well narrated and do take you on the emotional journey of both Maria and Randy (Ryan Reynolds). Randy, who doesn't want to take on the project and then refuses to let go, and Maria, who gives up hope when the obstacles become too big.
A young Maria and her husband Fritz, fleeing Vienna
Mirren and Reynolds really shine in this film, there wouldn't have been many surprises for them, or many liberties they could have taken with their characters, given that this is a true story, but they both do a marvelous job.
The film was nice, and it was well executed and I'm not going to tell you anything else because if you don't know the outcome of this story, then I want you to discover it and enjoy it for yourself. You can do without spending 20-something dollars on it if there's something else you'd rather see, but it's definitely worth a watch.
Maria's aunt posing for Klimt
xoxo
The Blonde Bombshell
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