Review of Albert Nobbs (2011) by Elliott F — 21 Jul 2012
Albert Nobbs has an interesting story to tell, it just doesn't know how to tell it. Bogged under Rodrigo GarcÃa's lifeless direction, the ridiculous script, and Glenn Close's over-rehearsed performance, it fails to be moving or interesting.
Close plays the title character, Albert, a woman living life as a man so she may find work in 19th century Dublin. Albert dreams about becoming a tobacconist (even though she doesn't know how to roll a cigarette, apparently) and taking a wife for herself--in particular, Helen (Mia Wasikowska), a girl who works at the same hotel as Albert.
Helen, however, is a bit of a slut, and has an affair with Joe (Aaron Johnson), a boiler man. Also in the cast is Janet McTeer as Hubert Page, another woman-turned-man for work purposes, although there seems to be more to McTeer's Hubert than to Close's Albert in the sexual department.
The film leaves a whole lot of unanswered questions, and there's a big problem with Albert being an astonishingly uninteresting character. Close's performance is the most affected, over-rehearsed excuse for a performance the actress has ever given.
She is mannered to the point where it's impossibly to even toy with the notion that you're watching Albert Nobbs; you're always watching Glenn Close playing Albert Nobbs. McTeer comes off better than Close does, managing to be somewhat natural in her poorly written role, and her best moments are easily the best parts of the film.
McTeer's problem is that the film has no idea what to do with her. On a superficial level, I can't possibly understand how anybody could believe these two women were men, because they look nothing like them.
It's just a flat mess.
This review of Albert Nobbs (2011) was written by Elliott F on 21 Jul 2012.
Albert Nobbs has generally received mixed reviews.
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