Woman in Gold ~ 2015

Woman in Gold. 
2015.
PG-13.
Starring Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds and Daniel Bruhl.
Directed by Simon Curtis.  

Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family. [IMDb]

History shows what a horrific blight on humanity the holocaust was, and still remains. Genocide, unfortunately, still prevails in many parts of this ever-turning globe, doomed -- it would seem -- to repeat the mistakes of the past without learning from them. Maria Altmann's story is just one of the many that exist to prove how many injustices the Nazis committed during WWII. Injustices that, although a little too late, develop into modern restitution. Maria Altmann's well-to-do Viennese family included a painting of her Aunt Adele Bloch Bauer -- the subject of Gustav Klimt's inarguably most famous portrait "Woman in Gold." That portrait, like all of Altmann's familial possessions, was looted by the Nazi's during their occupation of Vienna. It came to Vienna's Belvedere Gallery through a legal technicality -- and remained in their possession until Maria Altmann pursued its rescue.

I wonder if there's anything Helen Mirren can't do, honestly? I entirely believed her portrayal of Maria Altmann -- from the perfect Austrian accent, to the stoic body language, to the no-brass-tax attitude. At times, I forgot it was Mirren on screen and I could swear she was one of my Germanic relatives. She certainly did her homework to nail this role. Ryan Reynolds, as Altmann's relative and lawyer Randol Schoenburg, also does a fine job. I wonder if people get how well-rounded Reynolds is as an actor. Since his resumption of action star status, Reynolds has been taking popular roles in lieu of meatier parts. He's not a one trick pony -- so it was a nice change of pace to see him in this film. 

This is an important movie that reveals in great detail the other forms of atrocity the holocaust wreaked on is victims. Year after year, pillaged works of art resurface. Each one has their own story. Unfortunately, not every story has the fortunate resolution of Woman in Gold. But, with each masterpiece that is returned to its rightful owners, the world gains back a little of its stolen humanity.