Film Review: Monuments Men
Before seeing this film, I saw a review which included the criticism that it was "...lightweight entertainment, that doesn't make you think too hard."
Within five minutes of my viewing of this fine film, it became increasingly obvious that the reviewer making this remark had obviously been watching something else entirely.
Mel Brook's The Producers perhaps. (No offence meant to this film or to Mr Brooks, the film is of the highest quality comedies, as its director.)
George Clooney, wearing many different hats as director, producer, co-writer and main character, shines under all of them, bringing a little known story to life. Co-writer Grant Heslov also has a small cameo, as does the great composer of this movie: Alexandre Desplat.
That of the thousands of art stolen from all over Europe, to be placed in the Fuhrer Museum.
And the lesser known story of the Monuments Men, men chosen for their expertise in the field of art, architecture and sculpture. They were not strictly speaking army soldiers, but they were still fighting in a war that was not just destroying lives, but culture. Also as part of the cast, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, Bob Balaban and Dimitri Leonidas. All bring their considerable skills to this film, bringing this epic story to life.
In a deeply poignant scene of discovering stolen artwork, large barrels are opened up. One is full of what to appear to be engagement rings. Another is full to the brim, of gold pieces.
Taken from teeth.
Another scene shows a warehouse filled with everyday household items.
This is not a story to be overlooked, or thought to be mere romantic fluff. True, there are moments of levity, that make you smile, or laugh, but even in moments of this destructive war, there would have been similar moments.
In fact, this film was based on the book by Robert M Edsel and Bret Witter and much of what was in it, found its way, in one form or another, onto the screen. And those moments of levity, are included.
A thrilling and enjoyable film all round and it is definitely worth viewing, multiple times. It certainly makes you appreciate artwork and monuments, a lot more.
Within five minutes of my viewing of this fine film, it became increasingly obvious that the reviewer making this remark had obviously been watching something else entirely.
Mel Brook's The Producers perhaps. (No offence meant to this film or to Mr Brooks, the film is of the highest quality comedies, as its director.)
George Clooney, wearing many different hats as director, producer, co-writer and main character, shines under all of them, bringing a little known story to life. Co-writer Grant Heslov also has a small cameo, as does the great composer of this movie: Alexandre Desplat.
That of the thousands of art stolen from all over Europe, to be placed in the Fuhrer Museum.
And the lesser known story of the Monuments Men, men chosen for their expertise in the field of art, architecture and sculpture. They were not strictly speaking army soldiers, but they were still fighting in a war that was not just destroying lives, but culture. Also as part of the cast, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, Bob Balaban and Dimitri Leonidas. All bring their considerable skills to this film, bringing this epic story to life.
In a deeply poignant scene of discovering stolen artwork, large barrels are opened up. One is full of what to appear to be engagement rings. Another is full to the brim, of gold pieces.
Taken from teeth.
Another scene shows a warehouse filled with everyday household items.
This is not a story to be overlooked, or thought to be mere romantic fluff. True, there are moments of levity, that make you smile, or laugh, but even in moments of this destructive war, there would have been similar moments.
In fact, this film was based on the book by Robert M Edsel and Bret Witter and much of what was in it, found its way, in one form or another, onto the screen. And those moments of levity, are included.
A thrilling and enjoyable film all round and it is definitely worth viewing, multiple times. It certainly makes you appreciate artwork and monuments, a lot more.
This quote comes from a documentary, The People Speak, on American history, which focused its attention on the little known stories of the country.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't want to hear the words of the White House. We wanted to hear the words of those picketing the White House. Agitators. The anti-war protesters. The socialists and anarchists. In other words, the people who gave us whatever liberty and democracy we have in this country. What's common to all of them is the spirit of resistance to illegitimate authority. Democracy is in dissent. Democracy is in resistance. Democracy does not come from the top. It comes from the bottom.