Review of Mr. Turner (2014) by Audrey S — 19 Jun 2015

Fans of Victorian British period pieces should love this one. The authentic historical detail is edifying, and the characterization of Turner himself is brilliantly done by Tim Spall. This movie comes close, for me, to Topsy-Turvy in this way. It is commendable and justified that Mike Leigh reuses the actors who did such beautiful work in that film. There were certainly a few noticeably missing, such as the actor who went on to play the doctor in Grey's Anatomy, and also the wonderful actress who sang the final song, but almost everyone else was here.

Turner was certainly a revolutionary painter, and controversial. The depiction of the London society almost shunning him when he moved into Impressionism is key and potent.

Turner's love life was nothing less than remarkable: his revulsion towards his first daughter and her mother, his neediness for care and constancy with his housekeeper, and his ultimate meeting and subsequent lengthy tryst with Mrs. Booth, all depict the homely and seemingly foul-mannered man's pursuit of connection and love.

The other most salient aspect of this film is the historical portrayal of the conclusion of the seafaring England and the introduction of the steam train as transportation, which many feared and reviled.

It's an intelligent film for intelligent and curious art and history fans, and hopefully the general public will agree so that Leigh will continue the illuminating work.