I HAVE DECIDED TO FACE THE GHOSTS

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2019)

The film is a drama based on a true story which effectively utilizes flashbacks to create a bitter-sweet historic feeling. Maria Altman (Helen Mirren) is a WWII Jewish escapee from Austria. Her family was well off and part of the intellectual crowd and was able to commission a number of paintings, among which was the "Woman in Gold" a painting of her aunt. She utilizes US attorney Randol Schoenberg (Ryan Reynolds) a grandson of a friend of the family whose roots are also in Vienna.
Maria just doesn't want any painting, but one that is considered the "Mona Lisa" of Austria, the pride and joy of their art world. A woman who looks sad while dressed in gold. Some speculate she was having an affair with Klimt, the artist. She couldn't have children and was unable to pursue the intellectual position she desired. It is a portrait of a woman who has all the wealth she desires, but is unhappy because of her status. Okay that's my take.
Helen Mirren gave her typically fine performance. Ryan Reynolds was less impressive and Katie Holmes managed to land herself another background wife role.
Guide: 1 F-bomb. Otherwise benign.