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10

ledaumasApr 2, 2015

I really enjoyed this story of an elderly lady and a young, eager attorney who won a lawsuit against a country. Helen Mirren and Ryan Renolds play well together. It's a story about people trying to get what they despite it being wrong, andI really enjoyed this story of an elderly lady and a young, eager attorney who won a lawsuit against a country. Helen Mirren and Ryan Renolds play well together. It's a story about people trying to get what they despite it being wrong, and the people with enough will power to battle them. When one loses their desire to battle, the other picks up and keeps it moving. The legal maneuvering was very interesting on how to fight injustice. Stories like this are important to show us that the little guys can sometimes win.… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

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8

Harr70517Apr 12, 2015

All the other movies playing at the theater looked too violent or just plain trashy for my taste. So I decided to give "Woman In Gold" a try. I give it a very high LIKE! The acting was good and the story flowed well. I was happy to see aAll the other movies playing at the theater looked too violent or just plain trashy for my taste. So I decided to give "Woman In Gold" a try. I give it a very high LIKE! The acting was good and the story flowed well. I was happy to see a true story being done so well.
We should never forget WWII or the Holocaust. Anyone who thinks this a boring movie has no appreciation of History.… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

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10

drbriandoddphdApr 14, 2015

Having lived and worked in Vienna for 5+ years, I'm admittedly biased. Vienna is my favorite city and I'm a big fan of Klimt's work. This is one of the few times I've disagreed with the metacritic score...but I felt that the movie was spotHaving lived and worked in Vienna for 5+ years, I'm admittedly biased. Vienna is my favorite city and I'm a big fan of Klimt's work. This is one of the few times I've disagreed with the metacritic score...but I felt that the movie was spot on with its characterizations of Austrians and particularly Helen Mirren's role. My wife and I loved the movie.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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10

BBLNApr 27, 2015

I can't say enough good about this movie. There have been a lot of Holocaust movies over the years, and I imagine that for some people, the subject has lost interest. Several of my family members were in the Holocaust, so It is always aI can't say enough good about this movie. There have been a lot of Holocaust movies over the years, and I imagine that for some people, the subject has lost interest. Several of my family members were in the Holocaust, so It is always a struggle for me to decide whether to watch movies about the Holocaust, but this movie attracted me right off the bat because it was so different from other movies, very empowering, as well as being a TRUE story! Most people in the Holocaust who survived did so based on luck; the outcome was generally the same whether the person fought or didn't fight the Nazis. So to see a film about a woman and her lawyer who took on the Austrian government to fight for what was rightfully hers was such a wonderful balance to that sense of helplessness that many people felt. The acting in this film was excellent, the character development of both the main actress and the lawyer was well done, and the portrayal of those in authority in the Austrian government concurred with what I understand to be the governmental attitude in Austria after WWII. I really hope that this film is nominated for some awards, especially for the acting. I teared up the full length of the movie.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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8

BHBarryApr 24, 2015

"Woman in Gold" is a film regarding the famous painting by Gustav Klimts, the family that owned it and the niece, Maria Altmann (played by Helen Mirren), who witnessed its theft by the Nazis and her extraordinary efforts to regain it. This"Woman in Gold" is a film regarding the famous painting by Gustav Klimts, the family that owned it and the niece, Maria Altmann (played by Helen Mirren), who witnessed its theft by the Nazis and her extraordinary efforts to regain it. This is also the story of her attorney, Randy Schoenberg (played by Ryan Reynolds) and the legal machinations put in Ms. Altmann’s path by a Viennese government dedicated to the retention of its "Mona Lisa", as it colloquially referred to this revered work of art. More than anything, this film, directed by Simon Curtis and written by Alexi Kaye Campbell, is about justice and those who will give their all to achieve it. Ms. Mirren plays her role with the dignity and dedication that the real life subject no doubt possessed. The film is engrossing and well paced and one need not be an attorney to follow and understand, the legal niceties it contains. One can talk about millions who were brutalized by the members of the Third Reich but the impact of the crimes they committed becomes even greater when the story is told about one person and one piece of property. I give the film an 8 for its ability to relate the horror and hopelessness the victims of Nazi tyranny experienced as their dignity, their possessions and, yes, their very lives were taken from them.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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6

NerdConsultantApr 12, 2015

woman in gold is a well acted movie even if i do think that Ryan Reynolds is slightly miscast however it doesn't quite hold up to close scrutiny. all the plot in flashbacks to the persecution of the jewish population by the Nazi's in austriawoman in gold is a well acted movie even if i do think that Ryan Reynolds is slightly miscast however it doesn't quite hold up to close scrutiny. all the plot in flashbacks to the persecution of the jewish population by the Nazi's in austria is a lot better and more interesting than the main plot which while good does suffer from struggling to find a tone and it's momentary humour misses more than it hits. Helen Mirren's performance is excellent though I believe it could have been written better as it Her role in this feels like a cross between Judy Dench from Philomenia and a character from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I will say however i did enjoy this film on a lot of levels i just can't say on technical levels that it is a completely good movie though i do believe it should have a higher score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

GreatMartinApr 21, 2015

Since the first of April I chose over “Woman In Gold” movies such as “Danny Collins” (good), “The Longest Ride” (okay), “While We’re Young” (awful) and “Desert Dancer” (okay) until today when I went to see “Woman In Gold” which I definitelySince the first of April I chose over “Woman In Gold” movies such as “Danny Collins” (good), “The Longest Ride” (okay), “While We’re Young” (awful) and “Desert Dancer” (okay) until today when I went to see “Woman In Gold” which I definitely should have seen before now.

The painting in question, “The Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer” by Gustav Klimt, was used as a test case before the Supreme court regarding reparation for Jewish descendants whose family art was stolen by the Nazis. It is based on a true story that brought Maria Altman (played by Helen Mirren as an adult and Tatiana Maslany as young Maria) and a young lawyer, Randol Schoenberg (played by Ryan Reynolds) together to fight for the portrait of her aunt, along with other art works, that Austria claimed and saw as their “Mona Lisa”.

There are a series of flashbacks throughout the movie showing the Jewish Altman family, society and cultural leaders of Vienna, and what happened to them and their belongings when Hitler and his Nazis marched into Austria. Though many of these scenes are familiar they still resonate with the cruelty they caused on all levels.

The major part of the film is the interaction between the unsophisticated lawyer Reynolds and the refined Mirren, who can have a very sharp tongue. The chemistry between the two makes their journey together very believable as does Daniel Bruhl when he comes to their aid as an Austrian journalist aware of injustices of the past on a personal level.

Part Holocaust story, part courtroom drama and part history the whole movie is elevated by the acting of the leads especially, no surprise here, by Helen Mirren, who can throw out quips with gusto and whose face can express so much without dialogue.

As with most ‘based on a true story’ films much is left out such as Maria having children and what happened to her husband, played by Max Irons, though a major scene and middle portion of the film involves him. Over the credits we see pictures of the real people and we learn what happened to most of them.

The direction, especially the Austrian scenes, by Simon Curtis are generally well done as is the screenplay by Alexi Kaye Campbell, though the latter does pull at the heartstrings at points while the score by Martin Phipps and Hans Zimmer adds emotional tension to some scenes.

“Woman In Gold” is a movie that pulls you into all aspects of the story to the point of involving you emotionally!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

ricksrosesJun 11, 2015

Good movie well representative of the times. Movies based on a true story are sometimes the best movies I have gone to. Especially ones with a seasoned cast and well acted. Fine piece of entertainment.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

Brent_MarchantApr 4, 2015

This underdog-against-the-odds story may be a little formulaic in nature, and there are more than a few parallels to the narrative in the similarly themed "Philomena," but this very capable production deserves better grades than it's beenThis underdog-against-the-odds story may be a little formulaic in nature, and there are more than a few parallels to the narrative in the similarly themed "Philomena," but this very capable production deserves better grades than it's been receiving. Terrific production values, clear explanations of potentially complex subjects, and a well-balanced mix of contemporary and flashback sequences make for good storytelling. Another great performance by Helen Mirren and a surprisingly strong (though occasionally uneven) portrayal by Ryan Reynolds bring the story to life in an inspiring and convincing way.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

barbidoll31May 19, 2015

Without a doubt, this was the most compelling movie I can remember watching in years. I can't believe that anyone could view this without being emotionally affected. The screenplay was absolute mastery. Both Helen Mirren and Ryan ReynoldsWithout a doubt, this was the most compelling movie I can remember watching in years. I can't believe that anyone could view this without being emotionally affected. The screenplay was absolute mastery. Both Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds gave riveting performances. I was viscerally engaged throughout the whole movie. I gasped with joy at the final court verdict even though I already knew what it would be. I laughed, I cried, I begged for more. Of course the fact that the movie was based on a true story intensified all of my reactions. For me, this was not one more movie about the Holocaust, it was a movie about the human spirit and how we are drawn to define and re-define ourselves, and the powerful impact we have on our reality when we dare to do that fearlessly. This is a must-know story, and a must-see film, in my opinion. I dare you to view it and not come out of the theater with a sincere desire to do more, be better, and expand your existence. There isn't enough praise...… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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0

airxsonNov 23, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the facts, as presented in the movie.

the old jewish woman claimed she wasn't doing it for the money, but for justice.

she said the museum claimed that her aunt donated the painting to them in her will, but that she had never confirmed that, because she had never seen the will herself, nor did her jewish attorney.

then, they found the will and confirmed it was genuine. she & her

attorney both found out that the museum was telling the truth. it was
indeed her aunt's wishes that the painting be donated to the museum--a
place in the public view, in austria (her aunt's birthplace), and as a gift to the austrian people and the rest of the world, if they visited the museum.

the painting was considered by the austrian people to be one of their most beloved artworks.

through a technicality initiated by her jewish attorney, the old jewish woman
got the painting back, took it out of austria, sold it to a private
investor for $130 million and kept the money. and when she died, she
kept the money in her jewish family by willing all of it back to her immediate relatives.

she overrode her aunt's final wishes, removed the painting from the
museum and kept the money for herself & her family members.

but, again, as the old jewish woman said in the movie--it's not about the money.

sure it isn't. sure it isn't.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

brewsterApr 3, 2015

My wife and I use Metacritic religiously to guide us in our near weekly movie selection. This was a movie we both opted for before checking the Metacritic score. My wife and I both adore Helen Mirren, and my several in my family wereMy wife and I use Metacritic religiously to guide us in our near weekly movie selection. This was a movie we both opted for before checking the Metacritic score. My wife and I both adore Helen Mirren, and my several in my family were Holocaust survivors. While we often concur with Metacritic, there are often major misses. Most of them are of the film festival award winners, produced to impress movie critics rather than entertain moviegoers. The best example was Tree of Life, which had a near 100 Metacritic score but we absolutely hated. Woman in Gold was the opposite. Perhaps it was our fondness for Mirren. Perhaps it was my Holocaust sensitivity (I went to my ancestral home, Poland, last year, and visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, where we believe family members were murdered). But we LOVED this movie. I am the emotional one and cried like a baby. Because it is a true story and portrayed reasonably realistically, it is impossible not to enjoy this movie. Please go see it.… Expand

11 of 12 users found this helpful111

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10

dgoldstApr 13, 2015

This movie is not perfect, but very close.
Mirren's role is very well done. Supporting cast is good. Settings are excellent. What I found most fascinating was recreation of pre-war Vienna and the sudden morphing from Jewish aristocratic lifeThis movie is not perfect, but very close.
Mirren's role is very well done. Supporting cast is good. Settings are excellent. What I found most fascinating was recreation of pre-war Vienna and the sudden morphing from Jewish aristocratic life to victimization at hands of Austrian Nazis. Many Austrians to this day claim they were the first victims, when in fact they celebrated the Nazi entry to Vienna, sounded the church bells and lined the path with rose petals and . The Germans are no saints when it comes to their place in this history, but at least they have made admission. If for no other reason than historical satisfaction this movie is a winner..… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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4

ThegodfathersonApr 8, 2015

Woman In Gold is surprisingly very well acted, and written. But the weight of the wrongly used Holocaust themes and the Seen It Before story, make it a movie better left off movie buffs' lists.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

FirstUsedBooksApr 18, 2015

Brilliantly conceived and reasonably well crafted advertisement for Schoenberg's law firm. Excellent casting and music, mediocre direction and cinematography. Finely polished schlock.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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5

netflicApr 27, 2015

Real story, real people who live here, in Los Angeles, real painting ("The Lady in Gold" by famous painter Gustav Klimt), real legal case.
A Holocaust survivor together with a young lawyer try to get back a famous painting of her aunt thatReal story, real people who live here, in Los Angeles, real painting ("The Lady in Gold" by famous painter Gustav Klimt), real legal case.
A Holocaust survivor together with a young lawyer try to get back a famous painting of her aunt that was stolen by Nazi from their house in Vienna.
The story is extraordinary. Acting of both leads is very decent but it is not enough to make a mediocre movie a good one.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

beingryanjudeJun 21, 2015

Amidst over hundreds of thousands of art restitution cases following the Holocaust, Woman in Gold adapts a meaningful look at an exceptional circumstance. Helen Mirren shines with her Austrian-bred American accent - and is well suited toAmidst over hundreds of thousands of art restitution cases following the Holocaust, Woman in Gold adapts a meaningful look at an exceptional circumstance. Helen Mirren shines with her Austrian-bred American accent - and is well suited to counterpart Ryan Reynolds. It's emotional and empowering - just a bit of necessary button-up required.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

foxgroveApr 20, 2015

Watch ably entertaining if somewhat dramatically underwhelming and a tad pedestrian in presentation. The film projects an air of importance that the screenplay and performances just don’t support. Helen Mirren is fine, although not at herWatch ably entertaining if somewhat dramatically underwhelming and a tad pedestrian in presentation. The film projects an air of importance that the screenplay and performances just don’t support. Helen Mirren is fine, although not at her subtle best, as the Austrian Jew forced to flee her homeland due to the mistreatment of her race by fellow countrymen. More than half a century on she is seeking to have returned to her a painting of her aunt Adele, the woman in gold that was seized by the Nazis back in the 30’s. To this end she hires a lawyer, Ryan Reynolds, and the two of them endeavour to retrieve the art work from the Belvedere Palace where it has since resided for around 60 years.
Whilst the story is a good one the film projects such a manipulative air of nobility about it that instead of the intended pathos it more often than not causes the rolling of one’s eyes in laughable exasperation. Reynolds is better than he has been given credit for, although not particularly strong. However, his final speech at the arbitration hearing, is well delivered. The best scenes are those that flashback to the past in Austria. These are compelling and hint at another, better film, asking to be made. The coda is unusual and just reinforces the strident effort that has gone in to making this a manipulative tearjerker. On the positive side production values are good and the film is slickly packaged with a cast of notable character actors popping in and out. Of these, however, Elizabeth McGovern makes for an unconvincing judge.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

BeeceeApr 27, 2015

This film is definitely better than the critics would have it. Helen Mirren is magnificent as the heroine; Ryan Reynolds does a fine job as well. I wish there were a few fewer flashbacks, but the movie still kept me entertained throughout.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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3

jeanrenoir13Apr 17, 2015

MIrren's excellent as always, and the whole cast is good enough (wasting the great Danny Bruhl, but whatever). The production values are great, in the "quality picture" tradition. And it's hard not to be moved at times. But the whole movie isMIrren's excellent as always, and the whole cast is good enough (wasting the great Danny Bruhl, but whatever). The production values are great, in the "quality picture" tradition. And it's hard not to be moved at times. But the whole movie is ultimately an incredibly shameless machine for emotional manipulation and beating the dead horse of Nazi evil for the easiest effects imaginable. In fact, the hard truth is that the movie's this year's annual Holocaust movie clearly made by the Israel Lobby neocon wing of Hollywood to keep the American masses Pavlovian suckers for "Never again!" so that when the neocons roll it out again to con the American masses into supporting Tom Cotton's proxy war for Israel for "regime change" in Iran, the suckers will bite yet again, in an uncontrollable reflex that has been brilliantly drilled into them by Israel Lobby Hollywood for so many years now for just such an occasion. The attention to Pavlovian detail is such that they've made the heroine father look just like Stefan Zweig! How's that for tugging at the heartstrings of the literate, the ones most in danger of dismissing the movie for its shameless manipulations. Nothing is harder to make a good film about than the Holocaust, because any work of art has to avoid cliches and stock responses like the plague. Manipulative schlock like Woman in Gold does NOTHING but trade in both. It looks so good, and Mirren's such a good actress that the film might strike the unwary as better than it is. But Stephen Holden's 30 ranking for the Times nails it for what it is: crowd-pleasing junk.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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10

Mary805May 15, 2015

I have to say I completely agree with Brewster, I almost skipped this movie because the reviews were 50/50. Maybe it was because I went in with lower expectations but I LOVED this movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

ydnar4Jul 3, 2015

Woman in Gold is directed by Simon Curtis and stars Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. The film tells the true story of Maria Altmann (played by Mirren) an Austrian woman who fought to reclaim Gustav Klimt’s now famous portrait of her aunt AdeleWoman in Gold is directed by Simon Curtis and stars Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. The film tells the true story of Maria Altmann (played by Mirren) an Austrian woman who fought to reclaim Gustav Klimt’s now famous portrait of her aunt Adele Bloch-Bauer, which was taken by the Nazis before World War II began. Reynolds plays Randy Schoenberg, Altmann’s lawyer. Daniel Bruhl and Katie Holmes have supporting roles in this film but are fairly underused. Mirren and Reynolds’ performances are really the only two in this film that matter. They are really the only two essential characters. Mirren was great throughout the whole film playing a woman who just wants the one thing that reminds her of the life she once had. I have not seen many of Mirren’s performances because she generally stars in lesser known projects that don’t always get a lot of attention, but her performance in this film interests me to see some of her other projects. Ryan Reynolds is better in this film than I expected and hopefully he will be able to able to continue to improve with Self/Less which comes out this month and more importantly when he plays Deadpool next year. At the beginning it looked like he may have been miscast because he seemed to be dragging down the dialogue. It is so hard not to associate him with the romantic comedies that he is known for. However as the movie goes along he improves steadily and by the end I thought it was one of his greatest performances. Woman in Gold is certainly a slow film and the story is fairly dull. I think the film could have been a bit more inspirational and the movie goes by quick without really delivering a memorable plot. There is also little development with the characters and I felt like I hardly knew them even when the movie ended. Woman in Gold is certainly not a terrible movie but will not be suitable for a casual movie fan.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

tvnewsguidoJul 4, 2015

An imperfect telling of a mostly true story makes for an okay movie.

The back story is compelling. It's full of mean Nazis and persecuted families caught up in horrific events. The "present day" portions (actually set in 1998) of the movieAn imperfect telling of a mostly true story makes for an okay movie.

The back story is compelling. It's full of mean Nazis and persecuted families caught up in horrific events. The "present day" portions (actually set in 1998) of the movie are not as well put together. A woman and an inexperienced, down-on-his-luck lawyer takes an entire country to court to get back a painting of her aunt stolen by the Nazis.

Helen Mirren shines as does Tatiana Maslany. Ryan Reynolds is just okay in this one. He serves his purpose but the performance doesn't really stand out.

The primary problem I had with the film is that it never managed to manipulate me into feeling anything very deeply. With a story like this, I should've been in tears and cheering.

If you like a good period piece/courtroom movie and enjoy watching Mirren strut and fret, you should like this film.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

EliascMay 27, 2015

I almost skipped this one after reading the many less than stellar comments about this film. Luckily I ignored them and thoroughly enjoyed this well-made film. If you are familiar with the actual story, you will notice the missing detailsI almost skipped this one after reading the many less than stellar comments about this film. Luckily I ignored them and thoroughly enjoyed this well-made film. If you are familiar with the actual story, you will notice the missing details that would have made a more exciting and compelling film, but the performances of Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, and the rest of the fine cast more than makes up for the lack of details and the significance of the lawsuits and court decisions. This historical real life drama is filmmaking at it's best and the perfect antidote for all of those trashy comic book films that have invaded the theaters.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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1

gatorsrockApr 22, 2015

not the movie to see, save your money and see something else at the theaters. Not very interesting and will not keep your attention. Very disappointing.

0 of 7 users found this helpful07

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7

TVJerryApr 13, 2015

This is based on the true quest of Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren), who left behind her family's art collection in Vienna when she fled the Nazi occupation. Sixty years later, she hires a young lawyer (Ryan Reynolds) to help her reclaim it,This is based on the true quest of Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren), who left behind her family's art collection in Vienna when she fled the Nazi occupation. Sixty years later, she hires a young lawyer (Ryan Reynolds) to help her reclaim it, including the most famous painting, Gustav Klimt's "The Lady in Gold." All the fundamentals of a prestige film are here: a cast with chops, a noble cause, insurmountable odds and a troubled history (which alternates with the modern crusade). It has the potential and the outward traits of a stirring drama, but the writing is flat, the relationships are uninteresting and the emotion never hits home. While the story is appealing, the movie doesn't live up to the quality potential.… Expand