One of the best movies I have ever watched

Rating: 9/10 (23 April 2015)

What an amazing movie. I had guessed that it would be a good movie, but it was done almost perfectly... I can't recall a single flaw or change I thought should be made, not that I'm anybody special but we all have our opinions. I guess there had to be some flaw but I sure missed it.
I knew that the cast could act but their performances were exactly right. I've always liked Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds but they outdo themselves. The supporting cast was just as good. Every role was flawless... and the only way that can happen, even with an extraordinary cast, is to have a master directer. I had never heard of Simon Curtis but he is on my radar now. It wasn't slow, it wasn't rushed, the characters neither overacted or underplayed their roles... not once. Everything... and I mean everything, was just right, start to finish.
For goodness sake, this is a movie about a bloody painting I never heard of before, which I went to because I had time on my hands. I would have been happy with... OK. Instead, I was treated to something special, a rare jewel. Curtis made me care about every scene in the movie... not in a soppy way, but in whatever way he wanted... happy, sad, curious... I was only too happy to be guided through this story. Frankly, I was completely manipulated and I thank him for it.
I am really trying to describe the heart of this movie... the thing at the centre of every scene but I just don't have the words. It would take somebody more clever than I to properly do justice to it. Sculptors have described their art as taking away everything that isn't the subject. That's what happened here. Curtis managed to show us the essence of every scene. He added nothing that wasn't necessary and everything that was. When it was over, it didn't leave you wanting more... which may not sound like a compliment, but it is. When you left, you knew there was nothing left to tell. Nothing could be added to the movie which could have made it better... The story was complete.
It was a rare movie that didn't feel like a movie... it didn't feel like you were watching... you were there. Everyone should see this movie. The Woman in Gold is simply brilliant.