Venus
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Movie Reviews of Venus
Movie Review: The power of love
Summary: 5 Stars
Venus is a beautifully crafted film, portrayed by some of the greatest of British actors, who have nothing left to prove. It brilliantly portrays the love that can be outside the ignorant, fearful and prejudiced world in which we all too regrettably increasingly live.
The film is seen through the eyes of Maurice (Peter O'Toole), a great actor of his day (in the film and real life), now approaching the end of his days. For those blinded by prejudice, Maurice is a dirty old man who takes advantage of a young woman. Those not so blinded will see a man who has been free to love whenever and whoever he chose, whose freedom and opportunity taught him what love truly is: Giving, sharing, consensual and encouraging others to find the best in themselves, their dreams, even if that means they will leave you.
However it is not Maurice's story. It could be seen as the story of his wife (Vanessa Redgrave), who despite being abandoned with small children, still loves the man - a man who could not be owned by another. Despite his latest dalliance, she knows the benefit love between two people can bring to everyone about them. But this not the wife's story.
This is the story of a Venus, young girl who has never been loved for herself. Rejected by parents, used and abused by lovers of her own age, she obnoxiously rejects the family and society that rejected her. The love she gets from Maurice, however impoverished, however perverted some may see it, is the Love that was the turning point in her life.
In a society increasingly dominated by an ignorant, narrow minded, majority, Venus courageously reminds us of what life and love can be.
Movie Review: Brilliant Best Actors and Actresses, Love at Multiple Levels
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie got me through a long delay while waiting for air transport. It is utterly brilliant, chock full of world class actors and actresses, not least of which are Peter O'Toole and Vanessa Redgrave.
This is some of the most serious gifted acting I have seen. O'Toole brought nuance to this role that was unexpected and all the more appreciated for being so.
It struck me as a wonderfully new and refreshing mix of Pygmalion (My Fair Lady), My First Mister, and Love Story, with just a hint of Debbie Does Dallas without the sex.
It makes very good use of fast forward "life in review" in a couple of places.
It addresses love at multiple levels, including old men platonicly loving one another in old age; old men discovering their love for their old wives, and of couorse Peter O'Toole as an old man discovering platonic love with a rough younger woman who is brought out of ugly duckling status by his attentions and coaching. They teach each other how to get the most out of the lives they have.
I will watch this again. It is a keeper.
My First Mister
My Fair Lady
Love Story
Movie Review: Bare Ruined Choirs
Summary: 5 Stars
Peter O'Toole plays an aging actor Maurice ("he was gorgeous") in this little gem of a movie about old age and dying. He and his friend and sparring partner Ian (Leslie Phillips) spend a great deal of their time lamenting their fates and trying to keep one step ahead of the Grim Reaper as they wait to shuffle off this mortal coil. Their diminished hearts, particularly O'Toole's-- get an electrical shock when Ian's grand niece Jessie (Jodie Whittaker) comes to care for him. This film derives much of both its humor and pathos from the strange but rather sweet relationship that develops between Maurice and Jessie.
VENUS is a small, intimate film that British directors seem to have practically a monopoly on these days. The lighting is beautiful, understated and low, completely perfect for a film about life in old age. Even at his advanced age, O'Toole remains magnificent, proving once again that he is one of the great actors of our age. Vanessa Redgrave as his ex-wife has a small but effective role with one of the best lines of the filme: "After you are dead, everyone loves you."
The last frame is VENUS is a beautiful and perfect ending to a really fine film. While this movie may not be for everyone, it probably should be.
Movie Review: Peter O'Toole manages another stellar performance
Summary: 5 Stars
I admit that I'm a huge fan of Peter O'Toole. The man can be totally irreverent, cheeky but...I admire his willingness to take chances and push the envelope.
Having recently watched his performance in Lassie (also recommended), I was reminded of his versatility when I saw Venus. Instead of a dog lover, this time O'Toole plays the role of an elderly man, still searching for love and beauty. He doesn't even try to cover up his genuinely wrinkly face and allows age to work to his advantage, not always easy to pull off in a film performance.
He plays Maurice, a genuine character, who is drawn to a friend's niece and somehow manages to turn this attraction into a drama mixing humor, pathos and downright awkwardness - and yet it somehow all works.
For O'Toole fans, I'd also recommend: Lassie
Lawrence of Arabia (Single Disc Edition) [Region 99]
Movie Review: Very poignant
Summary: 5 Stars
As a female, I often tire of the older man/younger woman stereotype that abounds in film. That said however, and even while some of the scenes in this film were a bit disturbing to watch, this story is very rich, and the relationship between the man/girl is not as black and white as you would initially think. As the movie unfolds you begin to see that their relationship has many nuances that even they themselves don't recognize at first.
I also liked the fact that we got to see older people interacting with each other as friends and as former lovers. Far too often when we see elderly people in film, it is a caricature of old folk. But the older characters in this film...you got to see them in all their "regularness"....really no different than people half their age....they have the same insecurities, still act much the same way they did in their younger years...the only difference is that they now are dealing with failing bodies and death.
By the end of the film, I just had a lump in my throat. Truly a very poignant, touching film!