From Wikipedia page on the film: Film critic Peter Travers in Rolling Stone Magazine gave it 3 out of 4 stars, noting that while some of the dialog and emotions seemed inauthentic, the physical production and cinematography was "exquisite," with shooting done on locations in Germany and England.[27] In comparing the film with current ones, he considers it a "proudly untrendy, uncynical movie," where the story involved people seeking something more valuable than money: "Clooney [as director] feels there's much to be learned from these unsung art warriors. . . . What Clooney has crafted in The Monuments Men is a movie about aspiration, about culture at risk, about things worth fighting for. I'd call that timely and well worth a salute."[27]
Historian Alex von Tunzelmann, writing for The Guardian, noted several historical faults and said of the plot, "If you're getting the sense that the film is episodic and poorly structured, unfortunately you'd be right", and "There are far too many characters, so the screenplay splits them up into little groups and sends them off on various errands. Some of these are more exciting than others – but they do not add up to a satisfying plot. A TV series might have been a better vehicle for the "monuments men" stories than a feature film... The story is fascinating, but this film's good intentions are hampered by its lack of pace, direction, tone and properly fleshed-out characters."[28]
Mr C comments - it's not a perfect film but I strongly recommend it as it helps us reflect on the place of art in society. It also reminds us what kind of world we would be living in today if Hitler had won and created a global society where independent critical thinking would have been a crime.
I will include this film in our Senior Film Club list in the coming year.
Is there a book? Yes! Author Robert M. Edsel.
BBC ART STOLEN BY NAZIS FROM JEWISH PEOPLE DISCOVERED IN MUNICH FLAT
THE LEGACY OF HITLER'S HORROR.
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