Mirren is Golden!

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2015)

The Woman in Gold (2015): Dir: Simon Curtis / Cast: Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Daniel Bruhl, Katie Holmes, Charles Dance: True story account that addresses impact either through history or through one's reputation and endurance. Helen Mirren stars as Maria Altmann who, as a young woman, fled Nazi occupied Austria to America. This is all well told through flashbacks that effectively convey the period. Central plot regards the court battle to bring a painting of her aunt called Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer 1, which the Nazis stole, and now it remains in a museum in Austria. She intends to fight to bring it back to her possession. Ryan Reynolds plays her young lawyer with an Austrian background. His name is Randol Schoenberg and he risks his career to see that justice prevails. While much of this is predictable director Simon Curtis is aided by a strong performance by Mirren as well as Reynolds in one of his best. Daniel Bruhl shows up aiding their case in Austria thus proving to be a positive citizen within the many bad memories upon her return. Unfortunately other roles are not so well drawn. Katie Holmes as Randol's pregnant wife is supportive yet frustrated with the lengths he will go for this case but the role comes across as more a filler than a personality. Other characters are the standard road blocks of discouragement that never seem to elevate beyond a brief agitation. Theme presents the reality of justice despite years of reaching for it. It also demonstrates how one can succeed when the right people place faith in that individual's abilities. It is what makes this film truly golden. Score: 8 ½ / 10