Helen for Academy Award

Rating: 8/10 (17 July 2015)

Synopsis: Docudrama based on one example (the story surrounding Maria Altmann) of WWII era Nazi German confiscation (or theft) of property owned by Jews. In this case her effort as an American with Austrian roots along with her lawyer who also happened to have Austrian roots in challenging the Austrian government over the rights to some Klimt art, most notably "Woman in Gold", which was once owned by members of her family one of whom was the subject for that painting. Highlights: Well written film - intelligent, funny, props, settings camera work and dramatic flow to the story; all engaging. Albeit, a little too good guy/bad guy glossified. The highest highlight belongs to Helen Mirren who was a spot-on naturally funny, sagacious, sarcastic (in a good way), sympathetic character. An aside political comment: Liberal Jews would probably agree with me that Israel's restrictive reservation treatment of the Palestinians in some ways mirrors Jewish history. What took place in the film is, in a different way, taking place today.