Synopsis
Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover a world famous painting of her aunt plundered by the Nazis during World War II, she believes rightfully belongs to her family. She did so not just to regain what was rightfully hers, but also to obtain some measure of justice for the death, destruction, and massive art theft perpetrated by the Nazis.
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Cast
- Helen MirrenMaria Altmann
- Ryan ReynoldsRandol Schoenberg
- Tatiana MaslanyYoung Maria Altmann
- Katie HolmesPam Schoenberg
- Max IronsFritz Altmann
- Charles DanceSherman
- Daniel BrühlHubertus Czernin
- Tom SchillingHeinrich
- Elizabeth McGovernJudge Florence-Marie Cooper
- Antje TraueAdele Bloch-Bauer
Recommendations
- 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Simon Curtis’ Woman in Gold is a shamelessly sentimental fictionalization of this true story, but it’s a fascinating story nonetheless, beautifully photographed and greatly elevated by a brilliant performance from the invaluable Helen Mirren. - 70
Screen Daily
Though perhaps lacking in a real sense of dramatic tension; veering towards the schmaltzy at times and needing a far tighter ending, Woman In Gold is still a thoroughly enjoyable story, engagingly told and with a nice line in gentle humour to balance the legal battle structure which can veer to dryness at times. - 60
Village Voice
What Woman in Gold has over nonfiction portrayals is emotion, and director Simon Curtis (My Week With Marilyn) milks every scene for its heart-tugging potential. - 50
Slant Magazine
The film evades all but the most careful commonplaces about the relationship between the viewer and the work of art at its center. - 40
The Telegraph
The film seems to think the mere presence of Mirren as a wisecracking widow will be enough for us to forgive it a multitude of sins. - 40
The Hollywood Reporter
While Helen Mirren elevates the material with her usual aplomb and the events being depicted inevitably are stirring, this is a stodgy crusade-for-justice drama, directed and written with minimal flair. - 40
The Dissolve
Director Simon Curtis and first-time screenwriter Alexi Kaye Campbell constantly push too hard and too forcefully, laying on schmaltz where none is needed. - 40
The New York Times
Apart from Ms. Mirren’s performance, Woman in Gold smugly and shamelessly pushes familiar buttons.
