Good film

Rating: 8/10 (5 June 2015)

This is not a masterpiece but it does have some important themes. Maria Altmann represents all those Jews who lost everything under the Nazis. They settled in countries like the US and lived quiet lives. They might have led incredible and tragic early lives in Europe, but their neighbours just know them as a sweet old lady or man. I guess many of them never told their stories and were happy to leave painful memories behind. This film is saying that the incredibly valuable Klimt painting of her aunt Adele is a symbol of the rich culture and community that was viciously ripped apart. Maria realises that she can never get that back, but suing for the painting's return at least is a reminder to modern day Austrians of her loss. It's an acknowledgement of her pain and a taking back of control over her life. Helen Mirren is great, if a little too much like Queen Elizabeth Ii, as Maria. But for me, Tatiana Maslany, as the young Maria, steals the film. The flashbacks to Maria as a child and then as a young bride, are beautifully done. The final scene of the movie is gorgeous and very moving. The acting and script in the Los Angeles scenes is a little wooden. Katie Holmes doesn't have a lot to work with as the lawyer Randy's wife. Positives about the film include that it doesn't shy away from stating the Austrian people were complicit in expelling the Jews and looting their property. And also the Randy character admits several times he is motivated to be Maria's lawyer by the money, as well as by his own Austrian Jewish heritage. I am glad Maria Altmann's story has been told - she sounded like quite a lady.