Powerful

As Good As It Gets

A Major Disappointment

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

A truly enjoyable movie with great acting and a great story line!!

The true-story based drama "Woman in Gold" did not deserve any gold medals, but was bronzely deserved as solid cinematic offering. Helen Mirren stars as Maria Altmann, an older woman who was a Jewish refugee in her homeland of Austria. Her aunt Adele Bloch-Bauer sang the original version of Adele's "Hello"; not even Lionel Richie sang it better! Hello! Hello! Are you still there? Please don't say goodbye yet to my review of "Woman in Gold". In all seriousness, Adele Bloch- Bauer was the subject of an infamous painting during the 1940's. However, that painting and much artwork of Maria's family was seized by the Nazis in Germany-occupied Austria. During the late 1990's after a few occurrences including a deep letter from her deceased aunt Adele, Maria decides that it's time to get what is rightfully hers; most notably the startling "Woman in Gold" painting, in that time displayed in an Austrian museum. So Maria hires a nice young Jewish lawyer named Randy Schoenberg, and their fight for art-recovery justice is in full plight as they tackle many obstacles, most notably the Austrian government, to recover to Maria what is rightfully hers. Director Simon Curtis does hold par in his orchestration of the picture, even though Simon says way too many times what is obvious. Alexi Kaye Campbell's screenplay was moderate at best, but shined brightly within Maria's charismatic dialogue. Helen Mirren did shine with a golden performance as Maria, and Ryan Reynolds deserved a silver-thespian medal with his work as Randy Schoenberg. "Woman in Gold" does paint a pretty picture on art justice, and though not perfect, still deserves a look. *** Average

It was a good choice after I have read all the positive critics here. This is a very emotional true story that is well told and never boring. There were good flashbacks where all the reconstructed scenes were originally and perfectly done. I felt to be in the movie. All the actors and especially Ryan Reynolds delivered a great job. Helen Mirren put as usual a special humor note into the ambiance. It seems this role is suited to her and nobody else. The music was wonderful and I had even some tears. This movie is much more better than the other ones about the stolen Jewish paintings from the Nazi. See it. 7/10If you like this genre of movie don't miss The Pianist, Der Letzte Zug or Die Fälscher.

Woman in Gold tells the true story of Maria Altmann's quest, aided heavily by Randol Schoenberg, to retrieve a famed Gustav Klimt painting of her aunt, which was owned by her family before being stolen by the Nazis.This is a movie that only works at all because of Helen Mirren. She is excellent, and telegraphs all the losses Maria faced in Austria during the Holocaust, and why this painting holds such deep meaning for her. A scene towards the end of the film where she returns to her old Austrian home, and walks through moments in her life as a way of making peace with the past is very moving. The best that can be said for Ryan Reynolds is that he tries, but he is miscast at best in the role of Schoenberg. He is wrong for this movie, and frankly, drags down scenes that are supposed to show his struggles as he tries to move Altmann's court case.In all, I would say watch this movie for Mirren, and grit your teeth when watching Reynolds.