Review of Albert Nobbs (2011) by Amilcar A — 29 Jan 2012

Having a clear sexual identity is hard enough in the 21st century. I can only imagine how impossibly unnerving it would have been in 1898 Ireland. That said, Albert Nobbs could have also been a much better movie.

Nobbs is a sluggish story about a woman that dresses like a man and whom we can only assume is also a lesbian. Unfortunately the movie plays to it's weaknesses and not to it's potential strengths. It's very slow and dramatic but there is very little opportunity for empathy. Not because Nobbs isn't a tragic character but because he's more confused than anything else.

It's hard to really get a feel of what moves or motivates Nobbs. Even though his drive is made very explicit, it doesn't seem to be really genuine. In fact it's more escapism than actual desire or interest.

Nobbs is also predictable and not always very ambitious but it does have a few redeeming moments, including an above average performance from Glenn Close.

Mediocre but smart and delicate enough to be good.