April Outing: Woman in Gold

Yes, Woman in Gold - starring Helen Mirren as the real-life woman who fought to recover art looted by the Nazis - has arrived in Toronto on schedule. Despite somewhat tepid reviews, I feel sure that most of us will enjoy the film, which includes touching flashbacks to when Dame Helen's character was young during the terrifying Nazi era.

Movie Club members will see the film on Tuesday, April 7, at the Varsity Cinema (Bloor & Bay) for the 1:30 screening, after which those who wish to eat and chat will do so at the Bloor Street Diner in the ManuLife Centre. Let's meet near the box office 15-20 minutes earlier, but if you don't see me, just go inside and choose a seat.

As always, there's no need to notify me if you plan to see the movie but not go to the restaurant. But if you do plan to eat, please email me by early afternoon on Monday, April 6, so I can make a reservation for the correct number of people.

Storyline

Helen Mirren stars in the incredible story of Maria Altmann, a Jewish refugee who is forced to flee Vienna during World War II. Decades later, determined to salvage some dignity from her past, Maria has taken on a mission to reclaim a painting the Nazis stole from her family: the famous Lady In Gold, a portrait of her beloved Aunt Adele. Partnering with an inexperienced but determined young lawyer (Ryan Reynolds), Maria embarks on an epic journey for justice 60 years in the making.

Trailer: https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=movie+woman+in+gold&ei=UTF-8&fr=chr-greentree_ff&ilc=12&type=523482


Stories About the Film

Here's an article that isn't particularly kind to the movie, but is all about Helen Mirren: http://time.com/3768715/woman-in-gold-helen-mirren/

This is an interesting article about various battles to recover looted art: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/arts/design/the-story-behind-woman-in-gold-nazi-art-thieves-and-one-paintings-return.html?action=click&contentCollection=Movies&module=RelatedCoverage&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article