[Review] Woman in Gold film (2015)

Two biopic in a week was a stretch for me. What more two biopic back to back in one day. What more was it was in two different language. Given though, I do speak most of the two language. English is almost my first language, I would say English is more of a native language for me than my own mother tongue. Though I do sometimes speak in Indonesian, and do understand it most of the time, I however do not speak the dialects. 

Though it was not really the story that attracted me to the silver screen this time, it was more of the opportunity for me to breathe the same air as Dame Helen Mirren did. I was in the same room with hundreds other people (about 150) and Helen Mirren. How cool was that. 

Woman in Gold working poster (Pic Cred:reelviews.net)

So on with the review part. Woman in Gold is not as awesome as I had expected it. I was not a total let down because of you know what, but if it was not because of the appearance of Dame Helen Mirren that day, I would not even consider paying to watch the movie. Not at that moment where I have seen an almost three hours of biopic earlier. I would have waited for the movie to be screened on the tele instead. 

The movie itself was not awesome but I have known that from the mix review I have read and seen in many many places, some good, some bad and some even goes on to say that it was awful. To me though it was not awful, it has its moments. And having Max Irons looking very slick does not hurt at all. Max Irons… my my my… when did you grow into such beautiful looking creature. 

Vid cred: The Weinstien Company

On to my review about the movie.

This movie, I guess was quite true to the real story of what happened between the Austrian’s government and Maria Altmann in the late 1990’s fight over the paining of her aunt, of which the title of this movie came from. Honestly, if, only if they were to add more fiction, more comedic moments between Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren, I am sure, this movie would be brilliant. 

Ryan Reynolds is a babler and his mouth will shoot off in the most creative way usually in most of his movies and he was amazing as Berg in Two Guys and a Girl, but that is beside the point. Somehow this movie shut him off his elements and made him terribly boring and draggy even in his movement. He is a good looking stoic man that looks like a draggy homeless person who showered most of the time and being stoned all the time. He just looks lazy in his role. I am not saying he is lazy at playing his role, more like he was directed to be lazy to be in this role. He look scraggy and just bored. 

And they have this amazing actress with amazing talent, Dame Helen Mirren. She is amazing at her craft and she was amazing as Maria Altmann in my opinion (not that I do know who Maria Altmann is). The only thing was her bringing this woman of class into the world of a struggling lawyer and with Reynolds suppressing his talent just killed the connection that is easily seen most of the time but was killed by him trying to be boring. 

I would say that this movie had its potential to be amazing, and stunning as it could have been. Though in my humble opinion, the only reason this happened was because the director wanted to stay true to the life story of Maria Altmann and the lawyer Schoenberg. Although maybe because of the limit of time and the lack of need to explore more on the story of Schoenberg, the sub-plot was awfully rushed and pretty flash backs were cut short. 

And may I ask, was Katie Holmes even acting in this film? It was almost like she was reading from a paper and just be pretty. I loved her in her earlier works. I miss her earlier works. I have a real question though, was the scene where Max Irons was singing, real or was it dubbed over by a singer? 

Besides the blahness of the movie, which even as a person who knows nothing about this case originally, was very predictable. And the sub-plots which could have been the glue, the connector between the two worlds (high flying of an heiress and a struggling lawyer) was either undersold or was terribly rushed. Yes, it is a biopic and being true to the real life was important, but with the title of ‘Women in Gold’ and starling cast of Dame Helen, Ryan Reynolds, Max Irons and Katie Holmes, a little spice, a little bit exaggeration was to be expected. A little drama, or even a little more tear-jerking or even head butting comedic moments that could be awesome between Dame Helen and Ryan Reynolds would have been amazing in this film. 

Though as most film that I endure through, is not all bad. If it was I would have just got  out half way and not even bother with a review. Or maybe not. I would just ramble on and on about how terrible it was. But there were redeeming moments in this film. First things first, the cast was an amazing ensemble. Great great talent, but could have been explored more. Much much more. 

Dame Helen Mirren was superb at delivering cold, long monologue, and made it a speech that I would not mind listening to. Admittedly the lines were a little tacky, childish and cliche, but they do come at the right moments. Then there were the shots in the gallery and sights of Austria, they were very scenic today the least. 

Then there was Max Irons and his singing (if that was his voice) and the beautiful creature that he is. I myself do not speak German, but to my untrained ears, his German sounded legit enough. His role is quite minor in my opinion, he was only in the flash backs, but he was such a presence, that I remembered him more than I remember Ryan Reynolds after walking out of the theatre. 

This might not be the best biopic I have seen nor was this best movie of either Dame Helen or Ryan Reynolds. Yet, it was still enjoyable. It’s enjoyable enough if you are looking a light historical and court room drama with hints of family thrown in here and there. It’s not an amazing film nor was it a total blunder. It was forgettable at best though. Though, I would say, this might be a nice dating film. 

In conclusion I would give Woman in Gold a six out of ten (6/10) stars for this film. There is a divide between excellence of Dame Helen’s performance and Max Irons grace with the rushed sub-plots and lack of action in it. But it is not all bad. Do go and watch it if you love beautiful things. 

Love and Kisses,

GWRL