Read Mixed User Reviews for Woman in Gold

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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6

TheKiddyJul 12, 2015

I was aware of mixed (professional) reviews about this film. And while I adore Helen MIrren I never go to see a film only because she is in it. I did not know Tatiana Maslany was in it until yesterday, when I was watching it VOD. I did knowI was aware of mixed (professional) reviews about this film. And while I adore Helen MIrren I never go to see a film only because she is in it. I did not know Tatiana Maslany was in it until yesterday, when I was watching it VOD. I did know the subject matter and was interested in that from the beginning. Watching the film, I was often teary eyed. And I was reminded of how dreadfully people were treated by the Nazis in Austria. The writing was strong enough; I was glad for the flashbacks; but watching, and thinking about it in retrospect, I have concerns about the casting. First, Ryan Reynolds was not the right actor for his role as the young lawyer. He didn't look right, sound right, and he was not able to show the kind of passion or complexity that the role required or should have required. I felt almost that his part was written down to fit his limitations as an actor. (In fact, the show felt underwritten overall.) Now, I will say something controversial, although as this little review will likely never be read, maybe not so much! I am active in supporting greater representation of non-white actors in film and television, and am sensitive especially to what the activists call 'white washing'. This is where the role of a South Asian hero, for example, is played by a white actor for his presumed greater box office appeal. I get the realities of Hollywood. But on this one, I wonder about the grandson of a famous Austrian Jewish composer, Schoenberg, being played by Ryan Reynolds, to my knowledge not Jewish. Other than movie star power, what did he bring to this film? He didn't even bring a back ground in synch with that of the character to draw upon. And he just isn't that strong an actor. Helen Mirren is Helen Mirren of course, but not Jewish. Her experience does however encompass loss of country though, as her father was White Russian who because of the Russian Revolution became British. Tatian Maslany is apparently not of Jewish background but is of German-Austrian-Ukrainian background, her mother was an immigrant, and has fluent German. (And was wonderful in the role.) But I keep wondering about the decision to cast Ryan Reynolds. Other than box office, there is nothing about him as an actor or a human being that seems to fit the character. Maybe the real Randy Schoenberg was really bland, lacking in passion, and not a particularly good public speaker?… Expand

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6

lasttimeisawJul 18, 2015

The real story itself has every aspect to be an uplifting material for a big screen adaptation, the Republic of Austria v. Altmann case, the righteous Jewish octogenarian Maria Altmann (Mirren) against the acquisitive Austrian governmentThe real story itself has every aspect to be an uplifting material for a big screen adaptation, the Republic of Austria v. Altmann case, the righteous Jewish octogenarian Maria Altmann (Mirren) against the acquisitive Austrian government machinery, for the right of Gustav Klimt’s $135 million worth painting Woman in Gold, where Maria’s aunt Adele (Traue) is the said woman, and as a refugee fled from her homeland under the persecution of Nazis half a century ago, Maria has every right to get what belongs to her family and at the same time, to make peace with the mixed feeling towards her native land.

keep reading my review on my blog, please google: cinema omnivore, thanks… Expand

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4

BroyaxApr 26, 2018

D'après une histoire vraie, La Femme au tableau s'intéresse au problème épineux des oeuvres d'art volées aux Juifs spoliés et persécutés durant la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. L'histoire en elle-même ne laisse pas d'étonner puisqu'à la faveurD'après une histoire vraie, La Femme au tableau s'intéresse au problème épineux des oeuvres d'art volées aux Juifs spoliés et persécutés durant la Seconde Guerre Mondiale. L'histoire en elle-même ne laisse pas d'étonner puisqu'à la faveur d'un imbroglio judiciaire à procédures, l'expatriée autrichienne a fini par avoir gain de cause.

Outre la restitution de l'oeuvre familiale, le film est aussi l'occasion de revenir sur l'Anschlüss et les heures les plus sombres de l'Autriche : ici on s'en donne alors à coeur joie dans le pathos larmoyant à souhait. Cela manque singulièrement de sobriété lors de ces nombreux retours en arrière au gré des souvenirs de la vieille dame ; on apprécie en tout cas une belle reconstitution historique à Vienne elle-même, magnifique ville épargnée de tout bombardement allié, Dieu merci.

On peut reprocher au film son côté moralisateur ainsi que sa propagande américaine, car fier comme un paon, le scénario vous fait bien sentir que le tableau de Klimt, joyau de l'Autriche, est maintenant aux Etats-Unis. Tout cela est bien entendu parfaitement justifié mais la manière n'y est pas, de toute évidence. L'Autriche est qualifiée dans l'ensemble comme un pays rétrograde, rigide et qui traîne les pieds, oubliant un peu vite qu'elle a elle-même initié un programme de restitution de nombreuses oeuvres d'art.

Donc, comme d'habitude, heureusement que les Yankees sont là pour rendre la justice et tout ça... sinon où irait le monde hein ? et l'excellent acteur autrichien Brühl de tenir le rôle du mea culpa autoflagellateur !

Cela ne doit pas faire oublier un film assez intéressant qui doit surtout à ses deux acteurs principaux Reynolds et Mirren, d'une grande justesse de ton. C'est bien mené, on ne s'ennuie pas le moins du monde et la réalisation est soignée. Mais un traitement plus neutre, plus sobre, moins hollywoodien n'aurait pas nui au film, loin de là. Par ailleurs, moult détails de procédure sont trop souvent survolés, nous laissant dans une certaine incompréhension des faits.… Expand

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4

JLuis_001Sep 7, 2017

A weak work, a film that by its roots tries to be manipulative and to show once again the Jews of world war II like the poorest people of the 20th century.
The story seems to focus on something else but it is lost and is quite diffuse, inA weak work, a film that by its roots tries to be manipulative and to show once again the Jews of world war II like the poorest people of the 20th century.
The story seems to focus on something else but it is lost and is quite diffuse, in addition to the casting error is brutal, in all their scenes together, even the most banal, Helen Mirren erases Ryan Reynolds from the screen and one thinks how they believed he would be on par with her as performing as his lawyer.
Woman In Gold is a job well done technically but the rest is very irrelevant.… Expand

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6

DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a historical drama film, with biographical elements and it features themes including justice, theft and red tape. I found myself admiring Maria from quite early on, as she came across as a very determined and self assured, plus of course a very principled lady. The story interested me and I could only imagine how someone in Marias position would feel. The plot pace is surprisingly brisk, all things considered. There are some quite pretty shots, of a plush hotel interior, upmarket buildings in the area Maria remembers from many decades ago and so on. This applies both to the present day and also in flashback type scenes of Maria when she was much younger. Some of the music featured is quite light in tone, quite cheery and jolly, yet there are of course sad undertones, due to the plot and thus, I found it bittersweet.

I liked the way the plot worked, with details about Maria's family, what paperwork there is and what happened to people in the past, slowly becoming clear. It is understdandbly emotive, with various elderly people speaking about their own memories of what was taken from their family during the war. I found it quite sobering to watch how some officials reacted to Maria's plight but I'll say no more, so as not to spoil the film for anyone, of course.

Cast wise, there are a number of big names who feature in this film. Helen Mirren plays Maria Altmann, who is, as I say, quite a stubborn and certainly admirable lady. It reminded me of the film Philomena, in which Mirren played a similar person with a sad past to come to terms with. Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds plays Randy Schoenberg, Maria's American lawyer. He comes across as quite a professional, if somewhat junior person, seemingly with his heart in the right place. He is relatively inquisitive, understandably so. Other characters include Pam Schoenberg, Randy's wife, played by Katie Holmes (I think its nice to see her in more roles nowadays, after her divorce from Tom Cruise). Meanwhile, the younger, adolescent depiction of Maria is played by Tatiana Maslany, who seemed quite charming, looking quite beautiful. Meanwhile, Max Irons plays Fritz Altmann and Charles Dance plays Sherman.

Content wise, the film contains little in the way of violence and no sexual content, although some instances of strong language and there are, somewhat inevitably, sobering scenes set during the second world war, scenes showing the desperation of people caught up in times of bloodshed.

It is a thought provoking watch, with some interesting plot twists along the way. I found it certainly an interesting watch, not least as its based on a true story. It made me want to go online and look in to other families who have attempted to regain similar possessions. On the downside, there are various scenes featuring subtitles, so be prepared to read a fair amount of those, during scenes featuring the Altmanns while living in Austria as the Nazis took power, when they spoke german. On the plus side, said subtitles are shown in a surprisingly large font size on screen, so if your eyesight isn't great, then it may not be as awkward as reading subtitles on other shows possibly? I still thought I should mention it though.

Yes, I'd recommend this film for telling an interesting story, being thought provoking and featuring a good cast. It has some nice settings/cinematography as well.… Expand

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