ALBERT NOBBS (2011)

Directed By: Rodrigo Garcia 
Written By: Glenn Close, John Banville & Gabriella Prekop 
Based On The Novella (THE SINGULAR LIFE OF ALBERT NOBBS) By: George Moore Screen Story Written By: Istvan Szabo 
Cinematography By: Michael McDonough 
Editor: Steven Weisberg 

Cast: Glenn Close, Janet McTeer, Mia Wasikowska, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Brendan Gleeson, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Phyllida Law, Jonathan Rhys-Myers, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brenda Fricker

In 19th century Dublin, Albert Nobbs, an eccentric man in the latter part of middle age, works as a waiter in Morrison's Hotel run by the stingy and controlling Marge Baker. Albert is hard working and saves his money so that one day he will be able to eke out a better life for himself by owning his own business rather than work at the hotel. Beyond his work colleagues, he is all alone in the world. One day, a man named Hubert Page is hired by Mrs. Baker to paint one of the rooms in the hotel. She forces Hubert to share Albert's bed for the one night he is required to stay to complete the work, much to Albert's horror. Hubert discovers the reason Albert did not want to share a room with him. But rather than the issue being a problem, Hubert shows Albert that he can follow a slightly different life path than the one he envisioned for himself - one closer to the life that Hubert leads with his wife Cathleen - which includes getting married and having a wife to support him emotionally. ...

This is usually the type of film. I usually dislike obvious Oscar bait and a period piece. Having said that I found myself enjoying this film more than the Oscar winning film THE KING'S SPEECH. The king's speech was much more grand. It also had a bigger pedigree behind it. This film while small feels more personal and scrappy.

Glenn Close was nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award (Oscar) for her lead role as Albert Nobbs. It was Close's sixth nomination and sixth loss, and this now ties her with actresses Thelma Ritter and Deborah Kerr for the most consecutive losses for an actress.

It's a passion project of Glenn close's. She played the title role on stage as this was originally a play. Though through the direction the story is still intimate yet has opened up to fill the screen, Ms. close even co-wrote the screen version. She brings a certain innocence to her role. Which is rare when it comes to Ms.Close as she usually plays her parts tough and knowing.

The movie was close to be filmed in the early '90s with Istvan Szabo directing.

Orlando Bloom and Amanda Seyfried were supposed to play the co-starring roles I the maintenance man and the maid in love. I think the casting choices made by recasting was a wise choice as Aaron Taylor Johnson and Mia Wasikowska seem more natural and not as distracting as we don't know their star pedigree.

The film manages to captivate you. Though not much really is going on. The film never let's you go until the end. It does feel very staged and small, but it never bores. Which is a common complaint I hear about the film. The film really surprised me by my immense enjoyment of it. A film of this caliber and costumes hasn't really made me excited watching it since BEING JULIA with Annette Bening (who has become one of my favorite living actresses) (Whose writer/Director also helped to adapt this film and was close to directing it himself)

The performances are better than the film as a whole. It's not Glenn Close necessarily who steals the show. Which is a shocker in of itself as this was supposed to be her showcase. She is impressive by more subdued and is steamrolled practically by the true scene stealer Janet McTeer. Who is charismatic and flamboyant in her role. It's nice to see her get a meaty role to sink let teeth into. Which she hasn't gotten a chance to do since the film TUMBLEWEEDS.

This is not a crowd-pleaser so you have been warned. I was shocked how surprisingly dark and depressing the film is. It doesn't present the past as shiny and grand more as grimy, tough and hard times.

Mia Wasikowska gives another good performance.

Janet McTeer suggested Bronagh Gallagher for the role of Cathleen and also helped to contact Brendan Gleeson because of their friendship since Into the Storm

As a producer, Glenn Close was highly involved in the casting process. She went to Broadway and offered the role to Janet McTeer and called Jonathan Rhys Myers and John Light, who played her sons in THE LION IN WINTER.

I liked that the film wasn't so much about love, but more about identity and living your dreams. How then only one who can hold you back is yourself. No matter how hard and rigid the rules of society are.

I don't know if it was just a low key style, or the director was more interested in performances then creating atmosphere. Too much trying to convince the audience and making the film conventional to the audience by giving Close's character goal And ambition. The only problem Is what she see's as key to making it come true isn't really needed except because of story standards demanding it. Close is good but it feels doubtful at times that she could pass for a female. Her performance at times feels more Like a caricature.

 Grade: B-