VENUS

Starring:
Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard Griffiths and Jodie Whittaker

Director:
Roger Michell

Running Time:
95 mins

Out to buy on DVD 23/07/07

"She is awful"

Trying to make the most of their senior years, actors Maurice (O'Toole) and Ian (Phillips) spend their days reminiscing, trying each other's pills and playing dying grandfathers. Everything changes however when Ian announces that his niece Jessie (Whittaker) is coming to look after him. While at first Ian thinks this could be the best thing since sliced bread, it doesn't go exactly how he thought it would and he soon finds the young girl intolerable. Maurice however is smitten and drawn to this Venus amongst women.

If you wanted an actor in the twilight of his career to play a character trying to connect with a younger person you couldn't do any better than the almost legendary Peter O'Toole.

Peter O'Toole is one of cinemas most charismatic and exceptionally talented actors. From this his career defining performance in 'Lawrence of Arabia', through 'Goodbye Mr. Chips', 'The Last Emperor' and 'The Manor', his presence on screen has quite rightly defined him as one of cinemas true screen greats. Now in the twilight of his career he plays a character that reflects his own life as an aging performer.

Acclaimed director Roger Michell, who previously brought us 'Enduring Love' and 'Notting Hill', is the idea man to bring a story of growing old and infatuation to the big screen. After covering similar grown in 'The Mother', 'Venus' flips the roles so now we have a much older man and a young woman, instead of the opposite way around. The hard part of the film and the story however was to create a connection between a man in his seventies and a young girl in her early twenties without making it too creepy and for the most part he succeeds.

The relationship between Peter O'Toole's Maurice and Jodie Whittaker's Jessie is one built on fascination but one that quickly becomes a friendship as they become more and more dependant on each other for companionship. Maurice has been a philanderer for most of his life but the former British film star is finding it hard to cope with old age. When he first sees his best friend's niece and new nurse Jessie, it is lust that instantly draws him to her but as he realises his limitation it quickly becomes clear that all that Maurice wants is female companionship. For Jessie, Maurice gives her the attention she has never had. He treats her like a woman and with respect, listening to what he has to say and helping her find her way in a new city.

As the film progresses the relationship, of course, becomes tempered but they are destined to make a real difference to each other's lives. As their relationship develops however there are scenes that are a little sickly. Seeing Maurice thorn all over young Jessie is a little too much at time, making you wonder why Jessie puts up with his advances. This is a little disturbing and will make you feel uncomfortable during certain scenes.

The performances are superb however. Peter O'Toole and Jodie Whittaker really drive the film as Maurice and Jessie. Each of them throw everything into their roles with O'Toole providing one of the shining performances of his later career and Whittaker brilliantly creates a 'Chavy' young girl whose life is changed dramatically when she meets Maurice. Almost stealing the show is the brilliant Leslie Phillips as Ian. The legendary British comedic actor is exceptional as Maurice's best friend and fellow older thespian that thinks Jessie will be the answer to his domestic problems but she soon becomes his worst nightmare. He provides most of the big belly laughs having lost none of his comedic charm.

'Venus' is saved from been a movie that is a little sick or creepy by the quality of the performances. It could have been so easy for the film to travel down a path that would have pushed the story and themes a little too far, instead we have a story of companionship and friendship that ends up proving that everyone needs someone to trust and rely on.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 with a Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well, highlighting the beautiful cinematography.

BONUS FEATURES

Venus: A Real Work of Art (13.15 mins)
Director Roger Michell, writer Hanif Kureishi, producer Kevin Loader and stars Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips and Jodie Whittaker talk about bringing 'Venus' to the sliver screen. The production team talk about the importance of cast and what Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave and Jodie Whittaker brought to the movie, mixing seasoned professionals with new talent. This is a decent featurette that lets you see how a small budget, character driven piece is made.

Deleted Scenes (3.57 mins)
Entitled 'Hospital', 'Reading lines', 'Family problems' and 'Victoria Station', these deleted or extended scenes suffer from the lack of a commentary track or introduction to review why the scenes were removed.

Audio Commentary by director Roger Michell and producer Kevin Loader
This very chatty and informative track from the director and producer really compliments 'Venus'. They talk passionately about the movie, revealing how difficult it was to get funding, casting, working with Leslie Phillips and Peter O'Toole and finding Jodie Whittaker and what she brought to the role of Jessie. This is a good track that fans of the film should enjoy.

Trailers
Previews of 'The Lookout', 'Grey's Anatomy Season 2', 'Scrubs Season 5' and 'Breaking and Entering'

OVERALL

The DVD treatment for 'Venus' is one that fans will enjoy. The featurette is good and the commentary track is a really good listen. This package is good for a low budget movie.

DVD

The Mother


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