07-02-2016, 09:06 PM
(07-02-2016, 05:48 PM)Vultural Wrote: Mr. Turner - 2014 - 5/10
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Dreary biopic had key viewers hollering foul that Spall missed an Oscar nod as British painter J W Turner.
Really, Spall spent most of the film grunting or guffawing, arguably a spot-on portray of the taciturn artist, but hardly compelling viewing.
Fine outdoor photography undermined by dishwater narrative.
Characters singularly unlikable, and whatever drives them eludes the viewers.
Plot is little more than Turner dabbing oils on canvas, shagging the housekeeper, setting up alternative house, while snorting at relatives, relatives, fellows artists, critics.
A good documentary on Turner would be a recommended alternative.
This movie was unbearable. The trailer looked great and I know it got great reviews, plus I like Turner's paintings and his biography is interesting, but what a terrible movie. I'll sum it up like this: 2.5 hours of a miserable, grumpy painter treating other people poorly, with no plot, very little humor, and very little painting. Note that I only made it half way through the movie.