Wearing its indie traits like a badge of honor, Simon Curtis' Woman in Gold proves to be a classy character driven drama that while not great, provides an uplifting David vs. Goliath storyline that should satisfy those watching on.
The film, boasting a brilliant performance from Helen Mirren, centers around Maria Altmann, a Jewish refugee who, after her sister dies, discovers documents pertaining to Gustav Klimt's Woman in Gold painting that used to hang in her home before it was seized by the Nazi army. In an effort to get the painting back Maria seeks the services of a struggling lawyer friend. But the two have an uphill battle as, over the years, the painting has become the Mona Lisa of Austria, proving great importance to the nation and its history.
Refusing to beef up the drama or create any form of over-the-top heroics, director Simon Curtis presents the story in a level, even keeled way. The result is a mixed bag of tricks as you find yourself anxious for what is to come, though you are never sure if it is out of a sense of curiosity or boredom.
Reynolds looks a bit lost from time to time (especially when standing next to Mirren), and Katie Holmes is harshly underused in her portrayal of his wife. But the main question mark for me rose in response to the film's depiction of the rather high profile story. Claimed to be "˜based on a true story', Woman in Gold appears to have acquired its basic outline from the history books, but then opted to travel from each point by whichever means necessary. Even the final verdict, which should have been an easy fact to get right, is slightly altered for the sake of the film. Though it doesn't change the overall outcome, it did force me to question the rest of the film's authenticity.
But from a film perspective, it is hard to gripe too hard on the final result. It wasn't perfect, but in all reality it didn't need to be. It's an underdog story that tackles the important (though often overlooked) issue dealing with art restitution. Sure there were pitfalls in the plot, cliché moments that seemed out of place, and a little less drama than likely expected. But the film works for its purpose and gives its intended audience a nice, pleasurable, feel-good story in which to follow. It isn't Argo, but in this instance that is okay.
