Review of Venus (2006) by Ray H — 13 Dec 2009

This was a very good little film. I saw this movie some time ago; but I remember it fondly. Peter OToole is very good as an aging, semi-retired, actor (Maurice). He plays an apparent life-long womanizer. The story was engaging and very interesting as it unfolded. A young woman (Jessie) from the countryside, comes to London to live w/ her grand-uncle and look for work. Peter OToole plays his long-time friend and fellow actor. Although Maurice is very elderly, he seems to be physically attracted to the young woman in her 20s. He kind of takes her under his wing. He shows her around the city and suggests possible jobs for her.

The script is well written. There are plenty of humorous situations and dialogue throughout the movie. There is a kind of meditation upon the aging process and the winding down of a lifetime.

I was especially struck by one bit of dialogue. It was between Maurice and Jessie. Maurice was instructing the young woman abt life, and man-woman relationships. Maurice said he thought the most wonderful thing a man sees in his lifetime is the body of beautiful woman. Jessie then asks, well, what do you think is the most wonderful thing a woman sees? Maurice replies, the birth of her first child.

I thought this bit of dialogue neatly summarized one of the basic differences between men and women.

It?s a nice little film.