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Movie Review: Venus

Peter O'Toole's effortless performance in this film earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Check out our reviewer's thoughts on the movie.

By Phyllis S. Yingling

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Name of Film: Venus

Director: Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Enduring Love)

Lead Actors: Peter O'Toole (whose performance earned him several award nominations, most notably an Oscar nod for Best Actor), Leslie Phillips, Jodie Whittaker, and Vanessa Redgrave

Screenplay by: Hanif Kureishi, an award-winning writer from the UK

The Story: Maurice is a charming, aging British actor, who becomes enamored of Jessie, his friend's grandniece. The relationship evolves from disgust on Jessie's part, to curiosity, to grudging respect, and finally to unexpected love.

Review: Maurice Russell (Peter O'Toole), the once-famous star of the London stage, and his best friend Ian (Leslie Phillips), a has-been notable of British theater, hang out together. Ian is grumpy. Maurice is affable, good-natured, and still charming despite his thinning hair and slumping shoulders.

When Ian announces that his niece's teenaged daughter Jessie is coming to share his London flat, he assumes she will take care of him—cook his meals, prepare his tea, make sure he gets his meds. Maurice drops by to check out the newcomer and finds Ian in a rage because of Jessie's provincial manners, sloppy dress, and sullen insolence. Maurice peeks into the kitchen where Jessie, pretty but glum, is stuffing Chinese noodles into her mouth. She orders him to find her a beer. With a grin, he produces a longneck and stares in amusement as she drains the bottle in one gulp.

Jessie becomes his project. He is, after all, "the scientist of the female heart." The cinematography captures the rich texture of London as Maurice introduces Jessie to the city. He takes her to see a play at the Royal Court. She is enthralled. She takes him to a disco. He is fascinated. Later, Maurice takes her to the National Gallery, where she discovers The Rokeby Venus by Diego Velázquez. Jessie stands transfixed before it. It is there that he first calls her Venus. Maurice loves his young Venus, but gentle touches and a few tender kisses are all he ever asks. Their relationship is beset with conflict and spontaneous combustion. Eventually, Maurice's graciousness becomes contagious, and Venus learns to give kindness as well as receive it.

Vanessa Redgrave plays Maurice's wife. Though they've been separated for years, she still loves him and accepts him as he is. One of the most poignant scenes in the film is when she comforts Maurice when he is ill. Her few scenes are mere cameos, but she is the Vanessa Redgrave.

This movie, about an aging man who becomes involved with a young girl, is not a version of Lolita. It is not Pygmalion or Grumpy Old Men—though it does feature two old men.

My husband, Carroll, watched the movie with me. He was struck by several issues: the aging actors portraying aging actors, the story's unabashed dealing with the characters' efforts to stave off death, and the characters' humor and camaraderie as they deal with the indignities of growing old. And, he was moved by their deep, unfailing friendship.

There is some "language" in the characters' teasing banter and about 30 seconds of nudity, but we are a mature audience.

Why you'd want to see this movie:
It is encouraging to see these two elderly actors—O'Toole, 75, and Phillips, 83—plying their trade so enthusiastically. It is a joy to see such professionalism.

Rating:

- Reviewed by Phyllis S. Yingling, Catonsville, Maryland

Venus is now available on DVD »

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