Albert Nobbs

Somewhere in the beginning was the short story collection "Celibates" (1895) by the Irish realist author George Moore, which was later expanded by the short text "The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs" (1927). But a lot of time has passed since then before that original story became a feature film starring Glenn Close. Close played Nobbs back in the early 1980s in a theatrical transcript, and it took nearly 30 years to bring the film project to fruition. Which is, of course, admirable. So what is the result? An unusual late Victorian view of how unequal economic conditions affected the fate of individuals. At first glance, it might seem like just another romantic heritage, but the reality used to be a bit more complicated. A good experience for demanding viewers. (28/04/2021)

I make no secret of the fact that I’m fond of films and shows set in British stately homes whose inhabitants are divided into those above and below the stairs. This film was set in a Dublin hotel, but it ticks all the other boxes. The two dominant "male" roles were cast so perfectly that Mr. Paige looked like a real pervert in women's clothes. Some might complain about the slow pace and lack of action, but I’m sure that the experts on this sub-genre will agree with me that films like these are not about fast action but about life which can get pretty tough. It doesn’t matter if they’re presented with the naivety of a romance novel or they’re social dramas, I simply like these films. Glenn Close and especially Janet McTeer were superb, and Mia Wasikowska was definitely memorable, too. / Lesson learned: It’s nice to dream, but the reality is a bitch. (17/09/2022)

I have to say that this is no ordinary movie. Albert Nobbs is officially a man, but in reality she is a woman. The worst part is that he is not the only one like that in the movie and at times I felt as if I was watching a parade of the inmates of an insane asylum. Anyways, the premise looked good, but the execution was worse. I didn’t really like the atmosphere of Dublin very much and the whole thing was pretty boring from beginning to end. (08/03/2013)

I'm rounding up the three and a half stars because this film is definitely not average. Maybe it could have been a little shorter or could have moved along faster, but maybe the slow pace was intentional. Glenn Close acts very well, but the biggest surprise is still the painter Hubert. The period atmosphere was appropriately grimy and somehow bleak, and I was pleased with Brendan Gleeson as the doctor and displeased with the again unsympathetic (though again deliberately so) Aaron Taylor-Johnson. (25/05/2013)