Albert Nobbs (2011)

'Albert Nobbs' offers Awesome Performances, which in turn, turns out to be its biggest merit. Here's an ensemble cast who deliver the best! 'Albert Nobbs' Synopsis: Albert Nobbs struggles to survive in late 19th century Ireland, where women aren't encouraged to be independent. Posing as a man, so she can work as a butler in Dublin's most posh hotel, Albert meets a handsome painter and looks to escape the lie she has been living.As a film, 'Albert Nobbs' is depressing & long. The story is saddening & what its characters go through, is unsettling. Even the excessive running-time of over 113-minutes, seems stretched. Glenn Close, John Banville & Gabriella Prekop's Screenplay is tragic, but it has some moments of power. Rodrigo García's Direction is decent. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are super.Performance-Wise: Glenn Close is outstanding as Albert Nobbs. The legendary actress sinks her teeth into the part & brings it out with flying colors. Janet McTeer is incredible in a strong supporting role. Also, The on-screen chemistry between Close & McTeer, is amazing. Mia Wasikowska is splendid. Aaron Johnson is efficient. Brendan Gleeson is a delight to watch.On the whole, 'Albert Nobbs' deserves a watch for its performances!

I rented this and knew nothing about it. Just the title! I didn't even look who was playing in it! And it was the best thing that could've happened! If you can do the same thing (I always try to watch everything like that), do it! If you like a good Drama, this will satisfy you in every regard. I read afterwards that some people were up for Academy Awards (which is why I might have heard of the title or recognized it, before renting it) and it is well deserved! Albert Nobbs in particular is just breath taking (in more than one sense).That's why I won't go into any details of the story, something you will discover for yourself (hopefully) and something that is worth your time. And the story might not exactly develop in the direction you'd expect. Or does it? Find out if you haven't already

I remember reading somewhere that Glenn Close has been playing this character on stage for thirty years, and it certainly shows in her performance. Close vanishes so completely into her character that in some scenes, you forget that it's her. It's easy to watch this film simply for the novelty of wondering how a woman could successfully pass herself off as a man, but after the novelty wears off you're exposed to the grayish layers of her marginalized existence, constant fear of being discovered, and what must be unbearable loneliness, all characteristics which Close portrays through her simple facial expressions and even her bodily movements, as she walks around the hotel performing mundane servant's tasks. It's difficult not to feel some sympathy for her simple desire to operate a small tobacco shop and get married to a woman, an idea planted in her head by a towering painter who shares her secret. But her simple desire for domestic bliss is doomed not by her secret, but because she is incapable of demonstrating affection; for Mr. Nobbs, marriage is a philosophical construct, not a conjoining of souls. The end of this film is unbearably sad, made doubly so by a financial injustice that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Despite Close's brilliant performance, the film feels flat; perhaps it's best viewed as a character study, since it seems bereft of story.

This seems to be a labor of love for exceptionally talented Glen Close. She played this part in theater 30 years ago, and always wanted to bring it to the silver screen. Well, that is a problem. Playing a part at 35 and again at 65 might be a serious problem. Like many other actresses of her generation ( and unfortunately many younger ones, too) she got a bit reckless with plastic surgery. The tragedy of that option is that it doesn't make you look young, but weird. And hence, we have Glen Close playing stuffy, repressed Albert Nobbs,looking like ET's grandmother. Not for a second anybody could believe that Albert Nobbs is a man. And this is where this movie completely crashed. Luckily there is Janet McTeer, one of the greatest living masters of her craft, but sadly not as famous as she deserves.