Albert Nobbs
Glenn Close (Dangerous Liasons) dons a top hat in this drama about a woman posing as a male butler in 19th Century Ireland.
During an era where female independence was non-existent and discouraged, Albert Nobbs (Close) escapes a life of poverty and despair by disguising herself as a “himself.” However, she seeks to dismantle her 30-year façade after meeting a handsome painter. While trying to reconstruct an ordinary life, she acquires the company of a gorgeous young house maid (Mia Wasikowska, Jane Eyre), who has her own man-seeking agendas.
This is the third big-screen pairing of Glenn Close and director Rodrigo Garcia, the prior two being Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her and Nine Lives. Close, who also co-wrote the screenplay, originally played the role in a 1982 stage production.
- Director:
- Rodrigo García ('In Treatment', 'Nine Lives', 'Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her')
- Writer:
- Glenn GloseJohn Banville
- Cast:
- Glenn CloseMia WasikowskaAaron JohnsonBrendan GleesonJanet McTeer
Reviews & comments
extract from theaterofthecommonman.com
Throughout the history of film the attributes of what makes an actress successful have gradually changed, there has been one constant however: Beauty. As far back as the pioneers of silent film beautiful woman have graced the silver screen. After all the beautiful actresses sell tickets don't they? Let's face it, men didn't flock in their millions to see...
Poor old Glenn Close!
Hard luck to Glenn Close in a year that also sees Meryl Streep as Thatcher. Albert Nobbs is surely a story that bears telling. Homosexuality was just as prevalent then as now and what the heck did people do? Evidently lesbians regularly lived as men and married women who often claimed they never knew rather than incriminate themselves. Between Glenn Close's...
USA Today
pressIt's undeniably an impressive turn, if not one that truly captures our sympathies.
The New York Times
pressMs. McTeer's sly, exuberant performance is a pure delight, and the counterpoint between her physical expressiveness and Ms. Close's tightly coiled reserve is a marvel to behold. The rest of the film is a bit too decorous and tidy to count as a major revelation, but it dispenses satisfying doses of humor, pathos and surprise.
The Guardian
pressThis is a gripping ensemble piece, good-humoured even at the end of its tether.
New York Post
pressUnfortunately, Albert is so good at being unobtrusive, he nearly disappears from his own story, making it hard for us to get invested in it.
Los Angeles Times
pressThis may be the actress' most finely articulated performance, and it is certainly the most difficult to watch.
Entertainment Weekly
pressA damp little trifle, a sketchbook of gestures, a parade of period costumes and domestic details.
Empire Magazine
pressMuch like a woman in man’s clothing: a diverting spectacle that fails to entirely convince.
A.V. Club
pressSay this for Albert Nobbs: It's not some run-of-the-mill "life lived in service" drama.
USA Today
pressIt's undeniably an impressive turn, if not one that truly captures our sympathies.
The New York Times
pressMs. McTeer's sly, exuberant performance is a pure delight, and the counterpoint between her physical expressiveness and Ms. Close's tightly coiled reserve is a marvel to behold. The rest of the film is a bit too decorous and tidy to count as a major revelation, but it dispenses satisfying doses of humor, pathos and surprise.
The Guardian
pressThis is a gripping ensemble piece, good-humoured even at the end of its tether.
New York Post
pressUnfortunately, Albert is so good at being unobtrusive, he nearly disappears from his own story, making it hard for us to get invested in it.
Los Angeles Times
pressThis may be the actress' most finely articulated performance, and it is certainly the most difficult to watch.
Entertainment Weekly
pressA damp little trifle, a sketchbook of gestures, a parade of period costumes and domestic details.
Empire Magazine
pressMuch like a woman in man’s clothing: a diverting spectacle that fails to entirely convince.
A.V. Club
pressSay this for Albert Nobbs: It's not some run-of-the-mill "life lived in service" drama.
extract from theaterofthecommonman.com
Throughout the history of film the attributes of what makes an actress successful have gradually changed, there has been one constant however: Beauty. As far back as the pioneers of silent film beautiful woman have graced the silver screen. After all the beautiful actresses sell tickets don't they? Let's face it, men didn't flock in their millions to...
Poor old Glenn Close!
Hard luck to Glenn Close in a year that also sees Meryl Streep as Thatcher. Albert Nobbs is surely a story that bears telling. Homosexuality was just as prevalent then as now and what the heck did people do? Evidently lesbians regularly lived as men and married women who often claimed they never knew rather than incriminate themselves. Between Glenn...
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