Mr Turner

[peter]

This is very much a 'critics film' in that it recieved almost universal plaudits from the reviewers, but fared less well in terms of the public reaction at the cinema exit. The film is slow, but gosh is it rich! It abounds with such texture and color that it could almost be one of the great mans works itself, and Spall, who grunts and grimaces his way through the two and a half hours with never a false step, is a revalation. we all knew he was good - but that good?

I'm not a 'biopic' fan, but this is one to see. Supported by stirling performances from the rest of the cast, Spall 'bestrides the work like a colosus' and with quite the best cinematography work of any film for many a year, Leigh can only have been staggered by his own achievement on viewing the final product. what a shame neither actor nor director was recognised in either the 'Globes' or the 'Oscars'. Oh well - the film is quite capable of speaking entirely for itself and I have little doubt that posterity will remember it as one of the great works of its genre.