At lunchtime today, I caught the Number 88 bus into the centre of the city. I had not been to the cinema in a good long while and what else can you do on a grey, drizzly day when you want to get out of the house?
I was off to see "Lee" starring Kate Winslet as the American World War II journalist and photographer Lee Miller. Before leaving home, I checked out a couple of film reviews from "The Guardian".
Surprisingly, one of those reviewers only gave "Lee" two stars. Apparently, he didn't much appreciate the background music. But the reviewer I trust the most - Mark Kermode - talked in glowing terms about the film in general and about Kate Winslet's performance in particular.
At "The Showroom", I sat in the darkness of Screen Two thoroughly absorbed by the film. It honoured Lee Miller but it also reminded film-goers of the horrors of war. Kate Winslet's performance was superb in my opinion and if she isn't nominated for an Oscar then something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Lee Miller got herself into some very scary situations as World War II drew to a close and was one of the first photo-journalists to record the terrible scenes at two concentration camps - Dachau and Buchenwald.
Famously, she visited Hitler's apartment in Berlin and filled his bath with hot water before climbing in to bathe. This scene was replicated in the film along with several other of her most impactful images.
During its production "Lee" had financial issues to contend with and it nearly was not finished. Kate Winslet, now 49 years old, believed in the project so fiercely that at one point she kept the production afloat with her own money.
I am glad she did. Far from being worth only two stars, I thought that "Lee" was just about worthy of five stars. Maybe it's not your kind of film but for me it was better than expected and I was completely under its spell on a drizzly Tuesday afternoon.
I really want to see this. I'm always in awe of women who didn't follow the norms of society, especially before I was born.
ReplyDeleteLee Miller was ahead of her time with regard to gender equality.
DeleteI'm going to look for this movie. I've always been interested in that period of history. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteIt was a relatively short time ago. How could those wicked Nazis do such terrible things to their fellow human beings?
DeleteI think Winslet is one of the few actors who can lift up almost any film by just being in it.
ReplyDeleteShe is a real film actress. She doesn't just play herself.
Deletethat's a good movie if it keeps you involved.
ReplyDeleteThat's what you want - to get lost in a film. Frequently, it does not happen.
DeleteMark Kermode does write reviews that you can trust.
ReplyDeleteI find his gut response usually matches mine.
DeleteI was not at all familiar with Lee Miller, but she sounds an amazing woman, and I am glad that the film does her justice.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I went to the cinema was before the pandemic, I think.
Maybe it's time to treat yourself again.
DeleteIf it ever makes it to TV land I'll be sure to watch it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it too Elsie.
DeleteKate lives in West Wittering near Rodney Trotter and Keith Richard's. I blogged about West Wittering quite recently. She was great in Titanic.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you wittering on about?
DeleteI never heard of this movie. Just checked, and it is playing near me. Will try and see it. Love to see a woman pushing the boundaries of what society thinks she should be.
ReplyDeleteThe film certainly does that Elle and it is probably why Kate Winslet was so committed to it.
DeleteI should see more films, it has been a while. This sounds good.
ReplyDeleteOn a grey day when there's not much on your "things to do" list, it's a good option.
DeleteI've not heard of Lee, but it does sound like a good film.
ReplyDeleteThrough my eyes it was really good Andrew.
DeleteSounds like a very good movie. Honestly, I'm not sure I'd ever heard of Lee Miller. That's probably why Winslet was so dedicated to getting this movie made and out- to let people know about her.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. It was pretty much an untold story upon which the team, including Kare Winslet, wished to shine light.
DeleteI don't go to movie theaters anymore as I need closed captions to follow the dialog. I hope this movie comes to Netflix or MAX so I can watch it at home. Thanks for the review, Neil.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to see it one day Ellen.
DeleteI feel the same as Ellen for the same reasons. I have heard mixed reviews of this film but I'd still like to see it.
ReplyDeleteI would pay money to watch Kate Winslet do just about anything -- eat cereal, paint a wall, mow a lawn. She can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned.
ReplyDelete