15 reviews
WW2 through the eyes of a women
Lee is a biographical drama chronically the life of war photographer Lee Miller.
Miller played by Kate Winslet is a bit of a maverick. In her earlier years she's a model but it isn't properly until WW2 begins that she finds her home behind the camera.
I felt this film was at its best when it was giving us a different perspective on WW2. Lee is of course herself a women and with so few women actually on the battlegrounds it is through her eyes that we see the strife that women were going through, often alone in the background while the men were fighting.
The film although it only touches on it briefly deals with the Holocaust in a thought provoking way. Seeing the piles of rotting corpses from all the lives that were needlessly lost at the hands of the Nazi's really puts things into perspective. Sometimes we don't appreciate all that we have in our lives, relative safety being the most important one.
With that being said Lee's story itself is visually quite bland. I have no doubt of her importance in the war effort however not everyone's story makes for good visual entertainment. We of course do get some WW2 imagery but it's little that we haven't seen before at this point (apart from the above paragraph). Lee herself also had a romantic partner and a work partner, neither of whom really bring much to the story.
Despite now being interested to know more about Lee Miller, I'm unlikely to watch this particular film again. For me it goes into the growing pile of unremarkable biopics.
Miller played by Kate Winslet is a bit of a maverick. In her earlier years she's a model but it isn't properly until WW2 begins that she finds her home behind the camera.
I felt this film was at its best when it was giving us a different perspective on WW2. Lee is of course herself a women and with so few women actually on the battlegrounds it is through her eyes that we see the strife that women were going through, often alone in the background while the men were fighting.
The film although it only touches on it briefly deals with the Holocaust in a thought provoking way. Seeing the piles of rotting corpses from all the lives that were needlessly lost at the hands of the Nazi's really puts things into perspective. Sometimes we don't appreciate all that we have in our lives, relative safety being the most important one.
With that being said Lee's story itself is visually quite bland. I have no doubt of her importance in the war effort however not everyone's story makes for good visual entertainment. We of course do get some WW2 imagery but it's little that we haven't seen before at this point (apart from the above paragraph). Lee herself also had a romantic partner and a work partner, neither of whom really bring much to the story.
Despite now being interested to know more about Lee Miller, I'm unlikely to watch this particular film again. For me it goes into the growing pile of unremarkable biopics.
- TomTalksFilms
- Sep 13, 2024
- Permalink
Kate Winslet impresses, but the ending lets it down
Not another World War II movie, you might groan. But trust me, this one's different.
Kate Winslet stars in and produces Lee, a biopic that tells the remarkable story of Lee Miller-a model turned war photographer for Vogue during World War II.
While many films from this era fall into the trap of romanticizing war with guns, explosions, and love stories, Lee takes a different approach. It builds slow suspense, focusing on the reality of a war photographer's daily life rather than sensationalizing the violence.
Despite being set in the Second World War, there's probably no more than five minutes of actual fighting. I appreciated how the film handled such a sensitive subject with thoughtfulness and care.
The potential romance between Lee Miller and her co-star David Scherman, played by Andy Samberg, is hinted at but never fully explored-and I believe that was intentional.
At no point are you swept up in a fantasy of the protagonist heroically taking down Nazis or falling head over heels for her co-star. Instead, the film is subtle, moody, and slow-burning. This restraint, I think, pays deep respect to those who actually lived through that harrowing period.
For me, that's what makes Lee so special. You experience the horrors of war not through glorified action scenes, but through the perspective of her son, as he sifts through her work. It's like learning about the war from an elderly grandparent-quiet, reflective, and deeply personal.
The performances were outstanding, especially from Kate Winslet, who once again proves why she's world-class. It was also refreshing to see Andy Samberg step outside his usual comedic roles, bringing a raw depth to his character. You could really feel the emotion he drew from his Jewish heritage, adding an extra layer of authenticity to his portrayal.
At times, the movie felt almost like a suspenseful horror. As the protagonist and her co-lead ventured deeper into Germany during the final days of World War II, it was as if they were descending into the dark, twisted heart of the war. Each time they uncovered new atrocities, the tension built as we waited to see what haunting image the camera would capture next.
What let the film down for me, though, was the ending. Without giving too much away, it felt rushed and abrupt. After all the careful build-up, the film suddenly closed on a note that seemed disconnected from its core focus-the Holocaust and Miller's complex relationship with Scherman.
Kate Winslet stars in and produces Lee, a biopic that tells the remarkable story of Lee Miller-a model turned war photographer for Vogue during World War II.
While many films from this era fall into the trap of romanticizing war with guns, explosions, and love stories, Lee takes a different approach. It builds slow suspense, focusing on the reality of a war photographer's daily life rather than sensationalizing the violence.
Despite being set in the Second World War, there's probably no more than five minutes of actual fighting. I appreciated how the film handled such a sensitive subject with thoughtfulness and care.
The potential romance between Lee Miller and her co-star David Scherman, played by Andy Samberg, is hinted at but never fully explored-and I believe that was intentional.
At no point are you swept up in a fantasy of the protagonist heroically taking down Nazis or falling head over heels for her co-star. Instead, the film is subtle, moody, and slow-burning. This restraint, I think, pays deep respect to those who actually lived through that harrowing period.
For me, that's what makes Lee so special. You experience the horrors of war not through glorified action scenes, but through the perspective of her son, as he sifts through her work. It's like learning about the war from an elderly grandparent-quiet, reflective, and deeply personal.
The performances were outstanding, especially from Kate Winslet, who once again proves why she's world-class. It was also refreshing to see Andy Samberg step outside his usual comedic roles, bringing a raw depth to his character. You could really feel the emotion he drew from his Jewish heritage, adding an extra layer of authenticity to his portrayal.
At times, the movie felt almost like a suspenseful horror. As the protagonist and her co-lead ventured deeper into Germany during the final days of World War II, it was as if they were descending into the dark, twisted heart of the war. Each time they uncovered new atrocities, the tension built as we waited to see what haunting image the camera would capture next.
What let the film down for me, though, was the ending. Without giving too much away, it felt rushed and abrupt. After all the careful build-up, the film suddenly closed on a note that seemed disconnected from its core focus-the Holocaust and Miller's complex relationship with Scherman.
- alexdooler
- Sep 15, 2024
- Permalink
A genuine WW2 film with great acting yet script falls flat
I was really excited to see Kate Winslet in this passion project and of course she always delivers with her superb acting, and the directing is definitely well done and it provides a unique perspective on World War II.
However the lack of focus on Lee Miller beginnings as a fashion model and her artistic entourage including Picasso and elites with a quick brief intro to a wasted Alexander Skars as a Brit whom has no chemistry or anything unique to add which is a shame. It almost seems like his part was edited out for good reasons as it was a poor choice and so many real good British actors that might capture their supposed chemistry.
Also the first half felt poorly paced and thankfully Adam Sandberg brings some depths to the Nazi scenes esp of holocaust even though the bathroom scene was over the top yet without understanding the fashion and elite artistic crowd Lee hung out with prior it sort of makes no sense and feels out of place. Lee was the IT model girl that was super cool and here she comes across as an elderly dull fashion photographer with not much spark or evolution from It girl to WW2 photographer with same type of spark.
The worst part of the film was the son/ mother interview scenes that has a terrible ending that tries to create some synergy between Lee and her past which easily could have been handled better as it felt rushed and out of place. I'll leave out the spoiler as it's just bizarre ending yet maybe that was the point leaving a few paragraph lines to explain the decision.
Regardless it is a truly magnificent film and always a pleasure to see Kate Winslet shine as an actress even if the script falls short that does not take away from the great directing. Go in with low expectations and you'll enjoy the film.
7 stars.
However the lack of focus on Lee Miller beginnings as a fashion model and her artistic entourage including Picasso and elites with a quick brief intro to a wasted Alexander Skars as a Brit whom has no chemistry or anything unique to add which is a shame. It almost seems like his part was edited out for good reasons as it was a poor choice and so many real good British actors that might capture their supposed chemistry.
Also the first half felt poorly paced and thankfully Adam Sandberg brings some depths to the Nazi scenes esp of holocaust even though the bathroom scene was over the top yet without understanding the fashion and elite artistic crowd Lee hung out with prior it sort of makes no sense and feels out of place. Lee was the IT model girl that was super cool and here she comes across as an elderly dull fashion photographer with not much spark or evolution from It girl to WW2 photographer with same type of spark.
The worst part of the film was the son/ mother interview scenes that has a terrible ending that tries to create some synergy between Lee and her past which easily could have been handled better as it felt rushed and out of place. I'll leave out the spoiler as it's just bizarre ending yet maybe that was the point leaving a few paragraph lines to explain the decision.
Regardless it is a truly magnificent film and always a pleasure to see Kate Winslet shine as an actress even if the script falls short that does not take away from the great directing. Go in with low expectations and you'll enjoy the film.
7 stars.
- filmtravel101
- Sep 18, 2024
- Permalink
Kate Winslet shows spendor, as does the rest of the cast
Giving this an 7.5/10 rating
A very and honest as you can get biopic drama of Lee Miller, famous photographer from the 1930's and through out the second world war, showed the world the horrors in the world during her time. Played by, Kate Winslet, this is very much her film, and rightly so. Again, more fine work from an actor who still can pull your attention and works hard at it. Alexander Skarsgård and Andy Samberg are the backup who just as superb in this really near top notch movie.
Ellen Kuras directs us through pretty much a hellish world with touches of light and happiness, which are few, and proper, given the subject matter, and it is eerily lovely looking and tough too. Writers Liz Hannah, Marion Hume and John Collee give us a solid script and story, given how nasty the world was in, as Andrea Riseborough and Marion Cotillard also, pull out the stops in the acting, and look real rough, only Josh O'Connor is the clean person here.
The film could of been a bit more edger and stronger, but then it would of been very graphic and a higher rating, alienating more of he audience, who need to see this film. A good bit of cinema, and with what is out there, it shines and is never, never boring.
A very and honest as you can get biopic drama of Lee Miller, famous photographer from the 1930's and through out the second world war, showed the world the horrors in the world during her time. Played by, Kate Winslet, this is very much her film, and rightly so. Again, more fine work from an actor who still can pull your attention and works hard at it. Alexander Skarsgård and Andy Samberg are the backup who just as superb in this really near top notch movie.
Ellen Kuras directs us through pretty much a hellish world with touches of light and happiness, which are few, and proper, given the subject matter, and it is eerily lovely looking and tough too. Writers Liz Hannah, Marion Hume and John Collee give us a solid script and story, given how nasty the world was in, as Andrea Riseborough and Marion Cotillard also, pull out the stops in the acting, and look real rough, only Josh O'Connor is the clean person here.
The film could of been a bit more edger and stronger, but then it would of been very graphic and a higher rating, alienating more of he audience, who need to see this film. A good bit of cinema, and with what is out there, it shines and is never, never boring.
- donmurray29
- Sep 23, 2024
- Permalink
Lee
Kate Winslet turns in quite an effective performance here as the eponymous photographer who originally arrived in London to be with husband Roland Penrose (Alexander Skarsgård) and to work for the formidable Audrey Withers (Andrea Riseborough) at "Vogue" magazine as a fashion photographer. With the rise of the Nazis seemingly unstoppable throughout continental Europe, Penrose spends more time on the war effort leaving her more and more determined to prove that she is every bit as capable as her male counterparts. Needless to say there's quite a bit of resistance to her participation in combat zones, but thanks to her own perseverance and an alliance with David Scherman (Andy Samberg) she is soon actively involved in wartime photography and by the end is visiting some of the most ghastly sites ever built seeing, at first hand, the truly stomach-churning atrocities left behind by a now defeated war machine that turned large-scale annihilation into an art form. Her story is being relayed from the comfort of her British home in the 1960s to a man whom we assume is just a journalist. Indeed his obvious nervousness and her antipathetic attitude towards him and his task seems to suggest she sees no value in her memories, but as we develop the threads of her life, we begin to sense that something more exists between her and this young man (Josh O'Connor) which quite neatly puts quite a lot of perspective on the choices made by a woman who probably did put career first. Through the characters of Solange (Marion Cotillard) and Nusch (Noémie Merlant) the film also attempts to put a little meat on the bones of the story of those who had to "co-operate" with their new overlords. Some willingly, some less-so and some, well they didn't live to tell. The production and battle scenarios aren't really so effective - maybe just bit too manicured, the script is a little dry and there's maybe just a bit too much of it, but Winslet shows here that she has plenty of capacity to take on a role that it would have been easy to shower with bravado, but instead she brings a more considered charisma to her portrayal of a woman whose bloody-minded courage provided for some of the most significant imagery of the Second World War. Imagery that even now makes your flesh crawl.
- CinemaSerf
- Sep 21, 2024
- Permalink
Pretty good
Took a chance on 2 movies i knew next to nothing about today. "Strange darling" was fantastic and original, and then i saw "Lee." Which has another strong lead performance, and is a good historical movie. But doesn't really bring anything new.
Its really Kate Winslets show here, and she's good. Particularly toward the end of the movie. The story is also good. Building up to the bigger point of the movie, after a first half that does have some filler in there.
There is just a few questionable attempts to spice it all up a bit, as its a straightforward story. The romance isn't the story here, so you might be waiting to get to the parts more focused on the main ww2 plot. Overall, its a good movie. It just doesn't really have anything in it that gives it a boost to greatness.
Its really Kate Winslets show here, and she's good. Particularly toward the end of the movie. The story is also good. Building up to the bigger point of the movie, after a first half that does have some filler in there.
There is just a few questionable attempts to spice it all up a bit, as its a straightforward story. The romance isn't the story here, so you might be waiting to get to the parts more focused on the main ww2 plot. Overall, its a good movie. It just doesn't really have anything in it that gives it a boost to greatness.
- martinrobertson300482
- Sep 19, 2024
- Permalink
We see the atrocities through Lee Miller's (Kate Winslet) eyes
"Lee" accomplishes its vision: To tell the truth of Lee Miller, and thus tell the truth of the life, pain, joy, & death, embedded in her photographs. The way the audience gets to see everything through Kate Winslet's eyes as she uses every single eye movement, mouth/lip wrinkle, breath, more. Love that the film doesn't have to show the already-known shocking scenes, but WE CAN SEE THEM just by looking at them through Kate's gaze. This makes the film so powerful. Lee is not about the war. It's about a beautiful woman who is also intelligent, genuine, and daring (thus Kate is perfectly cast as Lee Miller). The IMMEASURABLE challenges she faced to seek the truth, then tell the truth by recording these images.
The well-known bathtub scene is magical. The careful anticipatory build-up to one of the most iconic images is worth the price alone. The film manages to include some conviviality, as if giving the audience a needed brief respite during this historical moment. Brilliant.
The effectiveness of 2 door slams. There is also some funny "drunk acting" that brings some levity to some of the most horrific circumstances from WWII.
I've seen this film 4 times at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival): 2 public screenings and 2 press & industry screenings, from 4 different spots in the theatre, on purpose. Discovered new important details & distinctions each time.
The well-known bathtub scene is magical. The careful anticipatory build-up to one of the most iconic images is worth the price alone. The film manages to include some conviviality, as if giving the audience a needed brief respite during this historical moment. Brilliant.
The effectiveness of 2 door slams. There is also some funny "drunk acting" that brings some levity to some of the most horrific circumstances from WWII.
I've seen this film 4 times at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival): 2 public screenings and 2 press & industry screenings, from 4 different spots in the theatre, on purpose. Discovered new important details & distinctions each time.
Winslet is mesmerising!
If this performance doesn't land Kate Winslet her second Oscar, there is something very wrong with the film industry.
This film is moving, provocative and spellbinding, all on the back of the subliminal work of Winslet. The emotion evoked didn't stop after the final scene, I was still wiping tears from my face 5 mins after. The realness of the war and the reactions from people learning the full extent of the atrocities was something to behold. An incredible piece of filmmaking and acting by the entire cast. Andy Samberg in a much straighter role by his standards was understated but perfect, and although only in a couple of scenes, Marion Cotillard reminds us all why she is an Oscar winner.
There is something so genuine and heartbreaking about this piece that it stays with you long after it's over.
This film is moving, provocative and spellbinding, all on the back of the subliminal work of Winslet. The emotion evoked didn't stop after the final scene, I was still wiping tears from my face 5 mins after. The realness of the war and the reactions from people learning the full extent of the atrocities was something to behold. An incredible piece of filmmaking and acting by the entire cast. Andy Samberg in a much straighter role by his standards was understated but perfect, and although only in a couple of scenes, Marion Cotillard reminds us all why she is an Oscar winner.
There is something so genuine and heartbreaking about this piece that it stays with you long after it's over.
A tough watch - but worth it.
Have just got home from watching "LEE" at my local Picture House.
Blimey, that was DARK. Well, it isn't all dark, but by the time you get to the last half hour... oooft. Let's just say that "feelgood" isn't a term anyone's ever going to apply to this one.
It's not like I went in unprepared: I'd seen Kate Winslet doing the promotional chat show appearances, and as I am already a great admirer of Lee Miller's photojournalism, I knew the kind of subject matter we'd inevitably be exploring, but still... don't say you haven't been warned. This film presents you with you the hideous fact of Nazi genocide, very convincingly as the revelation it must have been in the moment, without (thankfully) a scrap of sentimentality.
Winslet is magnificent in the title role - as is everyone else, to be honest: there are no shoddy performances to be found - and, speaking as a Rolleiflex TLR user myself, it was clear that she had done her homework viz how to wield that lovely machine convincingly. There were moments when the nit-picky photography pedant in me did query whether some of the interior photos were being taken in such low light that it was unlikely to have left any usable impression on the relatively slow film stock available in the 1940s, but let's not quibble!
It's quite a long movie and events are presented in a simple, linear fashion (via a series of chronological flashbacks) with rather uniform pacing throughout - personally, I would have preferred a bit more variation in pace; your taste may differ.
My only really negative criticism has to do with one, frankly bizarre, piece of casting. The role of Englishman Roland Penrose is given to Swedish star Alexander Skarsgård - whose plucky attempt at an English accent is ...I think "variable" is the kindest word for it. It was hard to tell what part of England he was supposed to be from, or indeed what social class, and there were several moments when he didn't sound any kind of English at all. I had to suspend my disbelief on some pretty strong elastic whenever he opened his mouth. Ah well... go figure!
Blimey, that was DARK. Well, it isn't all dark, but by the time you get to the last half hour... oooft. Let's just say that "feelgood" isn't a term anyone's ever going to apply to this one.
It's not like I went in unprepared: I'd seen Kate Winslet doing the promotional chat show appearances, and as I am already a great admirer of Lee Miller's photojournalism, I knew the kind of subject matter we'd inevitably be exploring, but still... don't say you haven't been warned. This film presents you with you the hideous fact of Nazi genocide, very convincingly as the revelation it must have been in the moment, without (thankfully) a scrap of sentimentality.
Winslet is magnificent in the title role - as is everyone else, to be honest: there are no shoddy performances to be found - and, speaking as a Rolleiflex TLR user myself, it was clear that she had done her homework viz how to wield that lovely machine convincingly. There were moments when the nit-picky photography pedant in me did query whether some of the interior photos were being taken in such low light that it was unlikely to have left any usable impression on the relatively slow film stock available in the 1940s, but let's not quibble!
It's quite a long movie and events are presented in a simple, linear fashion (via a series of chronological flashbacks) with rather uniform pacing throughout - personally, I would have preferred a bit more variation in pace; your taste may differ.
My only really negative criticism has to do with one, frankly bizarre, piece of casting. The role of Englishman Roland Penrose is given to Swedish star Alexander Skarsgård - whose plucky attempt at an English accent is ...I think "variable" is the kindest word for it. It was hard to tell what part of England he was supposed to be from, or indeed what social class, and there were several moments when he didn't sound any kind of English at all. I had to suspend my disbelief on some pretty strong elastic whenever he opened his mouth. Ah well... go figure!
Winslet's passion project never rises above average
Apparently Kate Winslet was trying to get this story made for years. It's a shame that what she finally put on screen is so flat.
The best moments in the film are the scenes in liberated Paris and the final days of Nazi Germany. These sequences (including graphic content related to the holocaust) are handled delicately and have real impact.
But, without wanting to sound trite, it is easy for a film to have an impact when you are covering one of the greatest tragedies in human history. The skill is in maintaining an impact when the content is more conventional.
And this is where "Lee" fails.
Let's start with Kate Winslet. There is a leaden quality to her performance that brings the energy down in every scene. This may be appropriate in the theatre of war, but she lacks charisma in her normal life too.
Far too old and serious to convince as a seductive ingenue in the early scenes (despite taking her top off), and burdened by an awkward performance from Alexander Skarsgaard as Roland Penrose, her background story is hard to believe in. Which is remarkable when you consider that by the time she met Penrose, she had been a successful fashion model, photographer and muse to some of the great artists of the 20th century. You'd assume she had something special about her, but whatever it was, Winslet doesn't capture it.
The scenes at Vogue magazine are truly cringeworthy, with Samuel Barnett doing a horrible parody of Cecil Beaton, while Andrea Riseborough plays editor Audrey Withers like a school matron who is well past her best years (she was in her mid-30s at the outbreak of war).
Winslet's lack of charm is evident in the early war scenes, where she is fighting to get access to the front line. I find it hard to believe that a former fashion model who was still in her 30s would choose extreme seriousness as a way of getting what she wanted.
Apparently Andy Samberg has got some praise for his "straight" role. But the bar is not set very high and the performance is no more than average.
Josh O'Connor - who is having a moment right now thanks to "Challengers" - also struggles to find any character in his role as an "interviewer" at the end of Lee Miller's life.
The supporting cast in general is stronger than the leads - Marion Cotillard, Noemie Merlant and James Murray all stand out in small roles.
I suspect the fundamental problem here is that Winslet wanted to tell the authorised version of Miller's story. The one that casts her as a serious photojournalist, rather than a society girl and bon vivant. And in doing so, she has drained all the life from it.
PS I have never seen a film with so many production companies involved. The credits for executive producers are longer than those for the cast!
The best moments in the film are the scenes in liberated Paris and the final days of Nazi Germany. These sequences (including graphic content related to the holocaust) are handled delicately and have real impact.
But, without wanting to sound trite, it is easy for a film to have an impact when you are covering one of the greatest tragedies in human history. The skill is in maintaining an impact when the content is more conventional.
And this is where "Lee" fails.
Let's start with Kate Winslet. There is a leaden quality to her performance that brings the energy down in every scene. This may be appropriate in the theatre of war, but she lacks charisma in her normal life too.
Far too old and serious to convince as a seductive ingenue in the early scenes (despite taking her top off), and burdened by an awkward performance from Alexander Skarsgaard as Roland Penrose, her background story is hard to believe in. Which is remarkable when you consider that by the time she met Penrose, she had been a successful fashion model, photographer and muse to some of the great artists of the 20th century. You'd assume she had something special about her, but whatever it was, Winslet doesn't capture it.
The scenes at Vogue magazine are truly cringeworthy, with Samuel Barnett doing a horrible parody of Cecil Beaton, while Andrea Riseborough plays editor Audrey Withers like a school matron who is well past her best years (she was in her mid-30s at the outbreak of war).
Winslet's lack of charm is evident in the early war scenes, where she is fighting to get access to the front line. I find it hard to believe that a former fashion model who was still in her 30s would choose extreme seriousness as a way of getting what she wanted.
Apparently Andy Samberg has got some praise for his "straight" role. But the bar is not set very high and the performance is no more than average.
Josh O'Connor - who is having a moment right now thanks to "Challengers" - also struggles to find any character in his role as an "interviewer" at the end of Lee Miller's life.
The supporting cast in general is stronger than the leads - Marion Cotillard, Noemie Merlant and James Murray all stand out in small roles.
I suspect the fundamental problem here is that Winslet wanted to tell the authorised version of Miller's story. The one that casts her as a serious photojournalist, rather than a society girl and bon vivant. And in doing so, she has drained all the life from it.
PS I have never seen a film with so many production companies involved. The credits for executive producers are longer than those for the cast!
- davidallenxyz
- Sep 16, 2024
- Permalink
Hat's off to Winslet and Samberg
- Hamstervert
- Sep 17, 2024
- Permalink
Expertly acted.
Fascinating viewing. 'Lee' is very well made and expertly acted.
As others have noted, it's quite the thing that fellow 2024 flick 'Civil War' has a character inspired by Lee Miller, then this comes along with a plot directly about the incredible photojournalist. Kate Winslet portrays Miller supremely, not that that would ever be in doubt; she is excellent at every single moment of this near two hour film.
About time this biopic was produced, it is one that does get dark but it's undoubtedly an important story to tell.
/// Lee is a 2023 British biographical drama film directed by Ellen Kuras.
As others have noted, it's quite the thing that fellow 2024 flick 'Civil War' has a character inspired by Lee Miller, then this comes along with a plot directly about the incredible photojournalist. Kate Winslet portrays Miller supremely, not that that would ever be in doubt; she is excellent at every single moment of this near two hour film.
About time this biopic was produced, it is one that does get dark but it's undoubtedly an important story to tell.
/// Lee is a 2023 British biographical drama film directed by Ellen Kuras.
Second half makes this film.
- mtoms-84267
- Sep 16, 2024
- Permalink
Revealing the Truth
Lee Miller was probably one of the most courageous, uncompromising and unconventional foto journalists ever, a woman way ahead of her time, and it's very clear why such a strong and impressive actress like Kate Winslet felt driven to impersonate her character.
Winslet delivers one of her best roles in an otherwise disappointing movie, which doesn't do much justice to Millers personality on the narrative level. It never dares to be as unconventional than it's main character and falls surprisingly flat. Except the last 30 minutes, when we take part into Miller's journey into the heart of darkness, the film starts raising the question about how to survive after having documented the most traumatic and devastating atrocities of mankind. How are you able to cope with that, survive and continue your life? The answer is: you don't. You break.
Winslet delivers one of her best roles in an otherwise disappointing movie, which doesn't do much justice to Millers personality on the narrative level. It never dares to be as unconventional than it's main character and falls surprisingly flat. Except the last 30 minutes, when we take part into Miller's journey into the heart of darkness, the film starts raising the question about how to survive after having documented the most traumatic and devastating atrocities of mankind. How are you able to cope with that, survive and continue your life? The answer is: you don't. You break.
- berndgeiling
- Sep 23, 2024
- Permalink
Take a picture ... it'll last longer
But will it? Well ... no pun intended and the question is one that you might get an answer to towards the end. Which can feel a bit like a letdown ... also a story by our main character that almost feels thrown in nonchalantly ... even though it is quite impactful ... or should be - not sure if it is based in reality and truth.
This is based on a book about her life - I did not know her - though it seems she had taken quite a few extraordinary pictures ... and she got a place in some hall of fame of photographers or something - the credits had it written all over - with some of her photographs (that are also sort of in the movie - with Kate playing the role obviously).
There is nudity by the way and quite a lot of blood on display ... this does depict war times, so it was to be expected ... a gripping story, that is told by Kate ... to a reporter ... who may have other motives or at least motives that are not quite clear ... at the beginning! We'll know more at the end - the end where you may feel it lets you down! I liked it ... because it gave us a few things to think about ... as did the rest of the movie! You do not have to agree with some of the selfishness on display .. but we are all human and we are all flawed one way or another.
This is based on a book about her life - I did not know her - though it seems she had taken quite a few extraordinary pictures ... and she got a place in some hall of fame of photographers or something - the credits had it written all over - with some of her photographs (that are also sort of in the movie - with Kate playing the role obviously).
There is nudity by the way and quite a lot of blood on display ... this does depict war times, so it was to be expected ... a gripping story, that is told by Kate ... to a reporter ... who may have other motives or at least motives that are not quite clear ... at the beginning! We'll know more at the end - the end where you may feel it lets you down! I liked it ... because it gave us a few things to think about ... as did the rest of the movie! You do not have to agree with some of the selfishness on display .. but we are all human and we are all flawed one way or another.