Why You Shouldn't Always Trust the Film Critics

Rating: 8/10 (1 May 2015)

It's a shame that the film industry has become so intertwined and dependent on the official press. Even after the passing of the great Roger Ebert, to be joined by that eventually of printed media, the word of mouth from the papers still determines if a film will bomb or not.
It's a pity then that Woman in Gold may not achieve the success it deserves because of the subjectivity of the criticism it has received from film reviewers. Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with the film other than the fact that it has generally portrayed a true story about a woman's fight for justice for her family.
The legal aspects of Maria Altmann's story may not make for riveting viewing but they are intriguing nevertheless. This was never going to be a film of action and suspense apart from the part where Maria and Fritz Altmann flee to America. But the point of Woman in Gold was to tell a true story in a tasteful manner that is befitting Maria Altmann, Randal Schoenberg and the Austrian government and it has done that well, with little dramatization.
If you love art, have an interest in Nazi history, law or are just after a good underdog story, this movie is absolutely fine and is a bit more watchable than some more recent movies that critics have positively reviewed.