At last, I have a decent answer when someone asks, “Have you seen any good movies lately?” Woman in Gold is the cinematic work of fine art I’ve been waiting for all year. While I was thrilled by Furious 7, debuting in theaters the same weekend, I’m not going to run out and take my mother to see it. Woman in Gold, however, is excellent for viewers both male and female, from nine to ninety.

The film is based on the riveting true story of Maria Altman, who, in her eighties, took on the Austrian government and the U.S. Supreme Court in an effort to reclaim the iconic portrait of her aunt, painted by Gustav Klimt, known as “Woman in Gold.” It was stolen from her family by the Nazis during WWII. In her efforts to find not only restitution but justice as well, she was aided by an inexperienced young lawyer, a descendent of the great Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg.

The cast is flawless. No one will be surprised that Helen Mirren was chosen to play Maria, or that she induces both tears and laughter as the feisty Austrian. But Ryan Reynolds, as young attorney Randol Schoenberg, is an unexpected stroke of genius. Never have we seen him so nerdy or thoughtful, and I dare you not to think of Jimmy Stewart when you see his performance. He doesn’t takes the easy or expected path, and the results are a career high.

The supporting cast is equally riveting: Orphan Black‘s Tatiana Maslaney plays a young Maria, appearing in poignant flashbacks that give the film added depth. Rush‘s Daniel Bruhl is an Austrian journalist who comes to Maria’s aid, Downton Abbey‘s Elizabeth McGovern plays a stern but fair judge, and Katy Holmes, as Randol’s wife, is an especially interesting choice, because she almost looks more like the subject of the painting than does the German beauty Antje Traue, who plays Adele Bloch-Bauer. The painting is also known by her name.

Simon Curtis, who so artfully directed Eddie Redmayne in My Week with Marilyn, has skillfully helmed the film so that characters and emotions feel authentic, not forced or exaggerated. Skipping back and forth between Vienna and Los Angeles, we’re given interesting perspective of both. It’s rare when a film can move, entertain and enlighten. Woman in Gold does all three.

Rated PG-13

1 Hour 50 Minutes

https://youtu.be/9bx3KTGBEaI

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WOMAN IN GOLD Review