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Venus
Reviewer: Joel
Review date: 05/02/2007
Film genre: Comedy, Drama
Director: Roger Michell
Starring: Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips, Jodie Whittaker, Vanessa Redgrave
Can one of the world's greatest actors win a Best Actor Academy Award on the eighth attempt? This was the question troubling me throughout this cute, partly Film Four produced film, as Peter O'Toole's Maurice Russell undertakes his occasional acting duties whilst falling in love with the twenty year old Jessie (Jodie Whittaker). At the best of times I thought this was a really dull affair only lit up with the excellent performances of Phillips as Maurice's best friend Ian, and the nostalgia trip with O'Toole as he somehow manages to carve out some decency from a below par script. Whittaker plays a basic chav averagely and annoyingly so, acting as a rebound for the educated witticisms and observations of Phillips, and O'Toole in particular. Michell does an adequate job of giving O'Toole the best shot he can at the 'big one' come February, but something still tells me that Forest Whitaker already has one hand on the golden epitome of acting. Despite his competition, I also have a hunch that the surroundings may be too British for the Academy as well. This coupled with the fact that the script is quite simple and occasionally farcical and disturbing, may regrettably result in this effort being a forgettable film for future audiences. O'Toole does deserve the nod, especially for his heartfelt conversations with his ex-wife (Redgrave), and Phillips should also be rewarded as a supporting actor for an outstanding turn as the high blood pressure, profanity-happy old great uncle of Jessie, but unfortunately, actors can only do so much with the material they are given. When the audience is just left with a mediocre director including unnecessary montages, a poor soundtrack, and a work of art lacking conviction, it's a case of so near and yet so far.
The summary
Even after the twilight of his career, O'Toole undertakes a crusade of painting a poignant portrait of the elderly. However, problems are a plenty as Michell's attempt never really endeavours to fully capture your imagination, leaving us witnessing the frankly disconcerting adventures of an aged playboy.
