Review of Albert Nobbs (2011) by Issac L — 23 Mar 2012

Of the American acting wonders we've seen lately, Glenn Close's performance here takes the prize. She's the waiter Albert Nobbs, who is a woman, but has not just been disguised as a man for decades, but totally taken over a man's identity. Born into it or gained? We don't know, but it all comes from a group rape when Nobbs was 14. This Nobbs is horrified by sexuality and another reason for being a waiter at a hotel during the Victorian era, is that sexuality is not acknowledged in such an environment.

So Nobbs has found a way. Not to live, but to exist. Then this painter turns up. The same kind of secret, but living a life. Gender borders are crossed in many ways without you noticing it here, which is the most clever aspect of this movie.

Quite touching, no mercy. Finally the only good person at this hotel, the doctor, moves, because he can't stand secrets anymore. They are destructive.