I think you will LOVE "The Monuments Men"!

[CTyankee]

After a snarky review in the NY Times, I really got worried about this movie that I have been anticipating for so long. In case you don't know of its historical reference:

"The story’s real-life heroes were a group of curators, restorers, archivists and the like who served in the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Section, an Allied effort to protect Europe’s cultural heritage." It is in the days following the Allied invasion in 1944. It was based on “The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History,” written by Robert M. Edsel, with Bret Witter.

George Clooney, who co-wrote and directed as well as played the starring role, has done a terrific job with a stellar cast that includes Bob Balaban, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett and Bill Murray, as well as some great work on less major characters. Clooney et al moves the film so firmly that you feel swept up in it all. Clooney chose to focus on two major works of art, out of many thousands, that his section pursued, with great "cameos" of other works as they are being carted away by the Germans. Recovered works you see include Rodin's Burghers of Calais sitting on a pallett in transit...it must have been such a joy to tell this story!

You can almost feel the passion of Clooney's character for the Bruges Madonna, which he pursues with intense purpose, and the Monuments Men's giddiness in recovering the priceless Ghent Altarpiece. The Madonna tender beauty and the Altarpiece's sheer magnificence are the two major focal points of the film.






So, sorry NY Times, but this movie is thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful. I encourage anyone who loves art (or even just loves George Clooney, as I admit to!) to go see this one. It is a gem!

[Scuba]

1. I'm afraid I was very disappointed.

Thin plot, barely carried by an anemic script. A bunch of very good actors going through the motions.

[CTyankee]

2. I thought it got off to a shaky start but got very interesting as it moved on.

As a film, it is not an art work, I agree. But the cast carries this thing and doesn't give up. I give them a lot of credit. Perhaps because I have read just about every book written about the Monuments Men I am a bit prejudiced, but even with artistic license, which I admit Clooney takes on the book it was based upon., I still liked it a lot. Clooney et al has that star quality, e.g. he makes you care about what happens to him in a movie...