Review of Woman in Gold (2015) by Ranny L — 27 May 2015
Who would have known The Green Lantern and Queen Elizabeth would make such a touching pair? Of course I'm talking about characters that Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren have played. They have an unexpectedly heartwarming chemistry in the new film, Woman in Gold.
Woman in Gold is about the quest of a lawyer named Randol and an heir named Maria attempting to get back a painting that belongs to Maria. The painting is of Maria's aunt and was stolen by the Nazis after they killed Maria's family and Maria fled.
I was completely invested. The story is enough to take my heart, for I can easily empathize. Then, there is the performance of Helen Mirren to wrench your heart. Don't get me wrong. Ryan Reynolds has one of the best scenes in the film and gives one of his finest performances ever (if not his best). But, it is Helen Mirren who makes this movie. She's gone from a French accent (The Hundred Foot Journey) to an Austrian accent for this film. In the past, her British accent hasn't been too bad either ... (yes, that is a joke).
The passion and vulnerability with which Dame Mirren plays Maria had me holding back tears. She's so emotionally present and emotionally versatile. She'll make you laugh or cry or brim with anger, but she always delivers.
The sentiment of the film must also be attributed to director Simon Curtis who makes his directorial debut with this film. He is a very visual director. He tells the story in imagery and pictures. Curtis has an amazing feel for timing. When he cuts to a flashback, the length of the flashback, how he ties it into the main plot, he does with finesse.
The flashback scenes, by the way, are stunning. The sepia/golden cinematography is gorgeous to look at and is very intelligent. It certainly adds an element of nostalgia to the story that reveals Maria's past and the emotion of her story.
Woman in Gold is a fantastic directorial debut for Simon Curtis. The film touches you deeper than you think it might and the journey is one you won't regret. For that reason, I give Woman in Gold 4.5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for ages 13 to 18. It is playing in theaters now so don't miss it.
Reviewed by Willie J, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth go to kidsfirst dot org.
This review of Woman in Gold (2015) was written by Ranny L on 27 May 2015.
Woman in Gold has generally received positive reviews.
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