Venus (2006)

That was an excellent one.

Absolutely Brilliant!

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Some actors prove us that they can act. Some actors make us know that they can act. But The Late/Great Peter O'Toole shows us how its really done in 'Venus'. The Honorary Oscar-Winner & 8-Time Oscar-Nominee, O'Toole is an acting masterclass in 'Venus', a wonderful film that proudly rests of his shoulders to do it all. Its a performance that didn't Win the Oscar for Best Actor, and believe me, that's surprising in so many ways.'Venus' Synopsis: Life for a pair of veteran actors gets turned upside down after they meet a brash teenager. 'Venus' could've easily passed as a creepy story of an old-man eyeing a brash teenager. BUT, its actually a mature & affecting film about desires & companionship. Sure, O'Toole's Maurice is an old man & the girl Jessie, played Jodie Whittaker, is decades younger than him. And yet they develop a bond, that is a testament of human desires. 'Venus' doesn't make Maurice look like a dirty old man who'd you call a monster just because he still feels attracted to a much younger women, nor does it make Jessie look like a pervert, who invests most of her time with an older man, with quiet sensuality. This is a story of people forming a bond & how the desires live on, even after you're termed 'old' or 'too young'. And 'Venus' portrays it with class & genuine feeling. This isn't a cheap film, but in fact, a human film about human emotions.Hanif Kureishi's Screenplay is affecting & exceedingly funny at times. The Writing has depth, from start to end. Roger Michell's Direction is excellent. He's handled this complex story, with pure brilliance. Cinematography is perfect. Editing is nicely done. Art & Costume Design add hugely to the narrative.And at the center of 'Venus' is The MIGHTY Peter O'Toole. Watching The Thespian here is a pleasure beyond words. O'Toole delivers a masterpiece of a performance, that ranks amongst the finest I've ever seen. Its a portrayal driven in subtlety & is anchored by heart. O 'Toole makes his character look human, rather than monstrous & that's the genius of his superior portrayal. From start to finish, O'Toole puts up an acting masterclass.And lending O'Toole superb support are Jodie Whittaker, Leslie Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave & The Late/Great Richard Griffiths. On the whole, 'Venus' reminds us the Giant that Peter O'Toole was. Watch it & be rewarded.

During the last year I have watched well over 100 films, probably more than 200, and very few of them have pleased and stunned me as much as this small independent British film.A simple story of an unlikely relationship between an old actor near the end of his days and the young unvarnished grand-niece of a friend, it is brave, funny, truthful and moving. The clichés inherent in a tale of a dirty old man's burgeoning obsession and a shallow and somewhat damaged young woman's readiness to take advantage of it take on far greater depth than the simple scenario might indicate.Peter O'Toole, always impressive, has never been better but Jodie Whittaker, in her first major role, holds her own. Leslie Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave, and Richard Griffiths in supporting roles lend sterling support.There is laugh-out-loud humour (particularly if you are getting on in years), there is some very rough language (much of which is justified), there are some shocks and, above all, there is truth. It is never too late to learn, and both the lead characters do so.A wonderful film.

Venus is what can truly be called an actor's film. In the hands of another director, it could have been more, but the way it is in the hands of Roger Michell, were it not for Peter O'Toole, it would hardly be much. Leslie Phillips and Richard Griffiths provide terrific background performances, not to mention that of the very promising and persuasive young actress Jodie Whittaker. There is even the graceful presence of Vanessa Redgrave's walk-on role, but the lasting impression of the film is unremarkable. That does not, however, detract from how interesting and real the story is itself.Harif Kureishi's script concerns O'Toole, who plays a revered English actor whose work and cherished social life have been weather-beaten since he is now geriatric. However he finds himself more and more attracted to his long-time friend's great-niece, while at the same time finding himself in failing health because of prostate cancer. His friend describes Whittaker's punkish, self-seeking teenager as a trouble maker and a pain, but O'Toole finds that she rather endears to him when he starts interacting with her. He takes her to see his favorite painting, Velázquez's Venus. She alludes to an interest in modeling, growing into a funny initial scene in which he initially misunderstands her and thinks she is interested in yodeling. He sets her up to model nude for an art class. Because of her posing for the art class, and informed by his favorite painting, he gives her the nickname Venus. The two flesh out a passive-aggressive relationship throughout the film. He is too romantically bold while she sporadically panders to his urges to a restricted point, for instance touching her hand and smelling her neck, but sharply withdraws her lenience when she feels that he has gone too far.The movie follows the developing connection between the two characters. This seems to be the last crack at something akin to a love life, as his prostate operation has left him impotent. It is less apparent what Whittaker sees in O'Toole. Throughout, we see her do everything from trying to get him to buy her presents, trying to use his apartment to have sex with a sleazy boy, take care of him, flirt with him, reject him sexually and connect with him as a friend. At one point, we find that she has been rejected by her mother and great- uncle for her promiscuous standard of living. Essentially, it's about the unfortunate gap and great room for discomfort between someone who is harshly judged by so many and someone who would never think to judge her, too old and too wise and too far into his last legs to care about what is and is not socially acceptable.This is not a badly made film. I admired the clashing of worlds of O'Toole and Whittaker, mainly through the use of music. There just isn't a lot of impact. I wanted to want to think about this movie afterward, but Venus just didn't radiate. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth a viewing.

Peter O'Toole takes my breath away. As the movie started I didn't think I would enjoy it, but I was sucked in by the magic. O'Toole, Phillips and Griffiths show us where old actors go - their graveyard if you like - and when Phillips' great niece is thrust upon him, and he is revolted, O'Toole starts to be nice to her and falls madly for the image of young womanhood and all it had meant to him. There are splendid scenes with his wife, played as ever flawlessly by Vanessa Redgrave (all hail to thee) and we are captivated by the unravelling story of an old man's final passion and its inevitable final curtain. Betrayed by the young woman's controlling boyfriend (watch out for him, he can act without speaking) O'Toole is then spiralling downwards and outwards from this life, and somehow inveigles the girl to take him to his seaside haunt. He dies happy, with wet feet and she is changed for ever. It's true, it's not a comfortable watch,(but it's not creepy and it is funny) but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Where will we ever find their like?