Review of Albert Nobbs (2011) by Miguel R — 09 Jul 2015

The local art center showed this film recently. I was not familiar with it, but a big fan of Glenn Close and her multi talents. She wrote the script or was a co-writer. I watched the movie for the second time at home because I felt I was missing something during the first showing.

I am so glad I watched it again. The story is heart-breaking, the acting is superb, and I felt as if I was taken back to Ireland in the bleak 1800s'. If a girl has no father, brother, or husband her only choices to survive were prostitution or becoming kitchen help with no chance to make a better life for herself.

After Albert experienced physical trauma as a young teen, she makes a heroic choice to present herself as a man in order to survive and obtain gainful employment. As a very naive person, she did not understand the world and emotionally she closeted herself completely so her impersonation was not uncovered.

The transformation of Miss Close into Mr. Nobbs is worthy of praise. I recommend those who really "get" the art of movies give this movie another try. I think it is great.