Venus

Name: Venus
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: December 21, 2006
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 82
Cast: Jodie Whittaker, Leslie Phillips, Peter O'Toole

2006

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 32 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

See All

7.1

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.1	Your Score
7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Venus

Now Playing: Venus

Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: December 21, 2006 | R

Starring: Jodie Whittaker, Leslie Phillips, Peter O'Toole

Summary: An aging English actor finds his life changed by the arrival of a friend's precocious grandniece.

Director: Roger Michell

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 95 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Kenneth Turan

Told with wit, genuine poignancy and all kinds of humor, Venus charts the unlikely relationship between a man in his 70s and a young woman more than half a century his junior. Read full review

David Ansen

A heartbreaking comedy that is simultaneously funny and sad, raunchy and sweet, funky and elegiac. These fresh, unexpected juxtapositions are a specialty of the writer Hanif Kureishi ("My Beautiful Laundrette"), a sworn enemy of cliché. Read full review

Jack Mathews

Peter O'Toole, looking frail beyond his 74 years, gives what may be his farewell performance as a leading movie actor in Roger Michell's Venus. It's one for the books - and maybe the Oscars, too. Read full review

Empire Alan Morrison

A screen-acting showcase by a man whose best days, many thought, were behind him. There's life in the old dog yet. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Awash in terrific performances.

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

Though O'Toole, whose ruined beauty Michell emphasizes in frequent and tight close-ups, and newcomer Whittaker have a striking rapport, the film's most haunting moments pair him with Vanessa Redgrave -- amazingly, this is their first movie together -- as his ex-wife. They evoke a lifetime of love, betrayal, regret and forgiveness in the space of a few lines, then move on without missing a beat. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Venus has a swank pedigree, but in this case that doesn't mean it's much more than a quaint machine to elicit tears and awards. Read full review

SEE ALL 32 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

SuzanneA.

Feb 10, 2007

Deeply touching, beautifully written, magnificently acted.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

BillyS.

Feb 10, 2007

In My Favorite Year, Peter O'Toole as Alan Swann declared - "I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!" In Venus, Peter O'Toole, the movie star of the last 45 years, confirms his place as the greatest living actor in the world today. Venus is Alan Swann's story 25 years In My Favorite Year, Peter O'Toole as Alan Swann declared - "I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!" In Venus, Peter O'Toole, the movie star of the last 45 years, confirms his place as the greatest living actor in the world today. Venus is Alan Swann's story 25 years later, and if Richard Burton and Peter Finch were alive today, it would be their story. Richard Griffiths, Leslie Philips and Vanessa Redgrave are along to add to the grace and dignity that Mr. O'Toole has always personified in every one of his roles and Jodie Whittaker makes a stunning debut as the young girl who captures Maurice's heart and youth. It is simply, a perfect movie with a perfect Peter O'Toole, but then, has there ever been anything but a perfect Peter O'Toole performance? Are you reading this Academy members? God Bless You Peter O'Toole!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Jun 24, 2007

I loved this movie. O'Toole is magnificent and the story was beautifully engaging, hilarious, and tragic. Don't miss this one.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AlanS.

Jan 20, 2007

Memorable performance by O'Toole clearly demonstrating desire for senuality and the zest it brings to one's life doesn't end with age

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DanS.

Dec 29, 2006

Great acting, funny, and edited well. Dramatic-sensual-comedy. Exposed the realities of life without dwelling on them. Worth the experience.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

ChadS.

Jun 4, 2007

In a church, Maurice(Peter O'Toole) dances with his oldest and dearest friend, Ian(Leslie Phillips), the one person he's most loyal to. Maurice's adoration for this person isn't a performance like the one he gives for his Valerie(Vanessa Redgrave), his ex-wife. Ever the In a church, Maurice(Peter O'Toole) dances with his oldest and dearest friend, Ian(Leslie Phillips), the one person he's most loyal to. Maurice's adoration for this person isn't a performance like the one he gives for his Valerie(Vanessa Redgrave), his ex-wife. Ever the ham, but so utterly compelling and convincing(his words don't seem processed), he tells Valerie that she's his one true love. But it's all method. His tender emotions bubble up from a wellspring reserved for Jessie(Jodie Whitaker). Even though Valerie is lying, she eats it up. Maurice doesn't truly respect women, but the filmmaker does. In a later scene, she encounters Jodie, and says, "Oh, you must be the one..." Art is a lie. Everything that Maurice said to her was a lie but she's touched nonetheless, and so are we, even though this man is clearly a pig.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

KentB.

Jun 7, 2007

This movie did not deliver as expected. A fair story not reflected on screen. O'Toole overacted and the other actors seemed great. A real waste of time and money mine and theirs.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS