Albert Nobbs ((Moderate Spoilers))
As all the posters, trailers, and information states, the beautiful and talented Ms. Glenn Close stars in Albert Nobbs which means she plays him:
The reason I said the spoilers would be moderate is because I shall not give away the ending and other goodies. However I will tell you that Glenn is playing a woman playing a man for a couple of the most simple reasons in the world: To be treated and paid as one and to love a woman.
Our story takes place in the late Victorian Era, three years before the Queen dies to be precise. Like many single women throughout time, lesbian and straight, Albert binds her breasts, lowers her voice, and dresses in men's clothing in order to be treated as an equal, make fair wages, make her own decisions and not have to answer to a father nor husband. And of course there was that business of having no family and being gang raped by four or five men in her early teens just while walking down the street as a female alone. She stopped being a 'female alone' after that. Wouldn't you?
It's easy to forget that we (women) have not even been able to vote in America for a hundred years. My grandmother on my mother's side was American born and couldn't vote when she was born but could by the time she was old enough to. Most women STILL don't make a man's salary in the states, no matter what you see 'Patty Hewes' do in "Damages", Glenn Close's other current and brilliant role. (http://cinematixyz.livejournal.com/tag/damages)
Then of course there is the 'other matter' of how could a woman have a wife in the Victorian Era (or now, unfortunately, in most places?). Again, throughout time, though some were brave and out, many resorted to donning the persona of the opposite gender for matters of love, work, companionship, or the simple fact that they were born in the wrong body. A biological accident we are only starting to understand but that I believe in 100 percent. Both the Gay and the Women's movement have come a loooong way but both have a distance still to travel. I hope to see great strides in both in my lifetime.
I read that Ms. Close (who for thirty plus years has been the finest at her craft and in her profession, behind only Meryl Streep, arguably) did a stage version of "Albert Nobbs" in 82', around the time (or just after?) "The Big Chill" and "The World According to Garp". Apparently she's been trying to get it on the screen ever since and finally has her wish, this play in a movie adaptation. And what a film it is!
Close as Nobbs on Stage (back when I was in nappies):
Seeing a woman play a man is nothing new (nor is seeing a man play a woman). We have seen it in nearly every variation and for virtually every reason. Some of my favourite films include such things, such as 'Orlando' based on the Virginia Wolfe story played with ethereal tenderness by Tilda Swinton. Orlando is actually in my top 20 or so fave. films of all time, a top honour since I am such a huge fan of film. Yet something beyond charm touched me about this character (which is ironic because Glenn Close is sooooo intimidating in Damages. It's like when Streep did "The Devil Wears Prada" around the same time she does "Mamma Mia". One just sits and wonders 'how' before realizing the talent it takes to -BE- those very different people, especially during the same relative time frame. Albert Nobbs touched me so deeply that I actually did the rare thing I do when I am TOO emotionally involved in a film and invested in a character. I hit 'pause', read the synopsis, then continued (Yearrrgsworth tried to talk me out of it but I was getting upset at what might happen to Mr. Nobbs until finally he said 'Fine, just don't tell me the anything' LOL)
(Glenn Close as "Albert Nobbs", Hillary Swank as Brandon Teena in "Boys Don't Cry", Tilda Swinton as "Orlando", and the talented Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There")
With a Supporting Cast that is full of surprising talent and grand styling, this is a film with a Soul. Some have them. Some don't. Most true fans of the media sense the difference. This one does and I give it two proud breasts up ;)
Zuzen
(Xim says Hello but is still dealing with his Family Issues, W. has been working overtime for the holiday season, and Y. has a review for you later in the weekend but everybody sends greetings and will talk & review with us soon!!)