l_rawjalaurence ALBERT NOBBS has some highly promising elements to it. The story of a waiter (Glenn Close) born out of wedlock, who has been forced to carve out a career masquerading as a male, offers some trenchant comments on gender and sexualities in late Victorian societies, as well as pointing to the prejudices that we still harbor today.In the closeknit, socially stratified world of Morrison's Hotel, Dublin, presided over by the maitresse d'h (Pauline Collins), men fulfill the active roles while women are consigned into the shadows as chamber-maids, cooks and the like. If anyone such as the housemaid Helen (Maria Wasikowska) is unfortunate enough to get pregnant, they run the risk of being cast out into the street as "brazen hussies." The house-painter Hubert (Janet McTeer) reacts to this situation by living as a man with a spouse in tow; at no point is her masquerade discovered in public.Albert tries the same strategy, but has to trust in others' willingness not to tell her employer what has happened. The fact that this renders her life miserable is obvious: when s/he gets the chance to shed her male attire and don a dress for the first time, the experience is almost overwhelming for her, as she runs along the Dublin sands like a child before falling down over her skirts.Rodrigo Garcia's film makes some good points about the ways in which individuals are constrained by social convention, especially among the lower classes. Servants are routinely abused, and fired at will, while the maitresse d'h profits at their expense while putting on a public mask of Christian charity.On the other hand, the narrative runs out of steam somewhat, as the story descends into sentimentality, especially when Albert believes that he has become attracted to Helen and vies for her attentions with wastrel Joe (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The contest, predictably, proves an unequal one; and Albert passes away as solitary in death as in life, alone in his poky room at Morrison's. There is a happy ending of sorts; but we feel that director Garcia has somehow missed the opportunity to continue his criticism of sexualities and attitudes towards them. No one, it seems, is any the wiser for having learned about Albert's suffering.

fedezucchi-rs To be completely fine, I didn't even end up watching the whole trailer of this movie. I was already so excited about it ! The idea of this waiter being a woman undercover, and than seeing him discovering that he wasn't the only one...it all sounded amazing for an amazing story, that wasn't develop. I really expected much from the plot itself that, I need to say, was poor! The fact that ONLY at the end everyone discover that he's a woman...well that should have been the center of the story, but basically it ended up being a secondary element that we get to remember when he talks with Mary and when he's by himself. I really liked the first scenes though, if you do not watch the trailer in advance, as I silly did, you can never expect this sudden revelation !

Rich Wright From a casual observer's point of view, there's no way that Glenn Close of Janet McTeer (who both play women posing as men) could pass as the opposite sex... but that's not really the point, is it? If you can suspend your disbelief, their performances are very good... they have the mannerisms, the voice, the attire down perfectly. I just find it difficult to believe, in real life, an individual with no visible facial hair and such feminine features would fool anyone into thinking they were another gender, unless they were very dense. Oh well, a moot point... but one I make regardless.This is late 19th century Ireland, when women's options seemed to consist of stay-at-home mothers, prostitution or servitude. Albert Nobbs is a female who, because of an unfortunate incident when she was 14, decided to become a man. Alas, transgender surgery was a good few decades away... so she has no choice but wear a fancy get up with lots of padding each day to carry out this facade. Her scheme seems to be going well... she's been working as a butler for many years, and has nearly saved enough to buy her own little shop. The jig is up though, when the local painter accidentally sees her undressing. She is naturally distraught... but hold on... the colour dauber may have a few secrets of 'his' own...Poor, poor Albert Hobbs. She can just about carry across the illusion she's a fella... but has no idea about the way the rest of the world works. Just watch her attempts to woo a pregnant maid into matrimony... there's no way this shy, awkward, much older 'man' could end up with someone so young and pretty... particularly as she happens to have a boyfriend already. A violent and jealous one, at that. It all ends in a confrontation with tragic consequences... and a conclusion which is the very definition of bittersweet.So, don't expect a feel good time... but do look forward to a thoroughly engaging historical drama. 7/10

namashi_1 'Albert Nobbs' offers Awesome Performances, which in turn, turns out to be its biggest merit. Here's an ensemble cast who deliver the best! 'Albert Nobbs' Synopsis: Albert Nobbs struggles to survive in late 19th century Ireland, where women aren't encouraged to be independent. Posing as a man, so she can work as a butler in Dublin's most posh hotel, Albert meets a handsome painter and looks to escape the lie she has been living.As a film, 'Albert Nobbs' is depressing & long. The story is saddening & what its characters go through, is unsettling. Even the excessive running-time of over 113-minutes, seems stretched. Glenn Close, John Banville & Gabriella Prekop's Screenplay is tragic, but it has some moments of power. Rodrigo García's Direction is decent. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are super.Performance-Wise: Glenn Close is outstanding as Albert Nobbs. The legendary actress sinks her teeth into the part & brings it out with flying colors. Janet McTeer is incredible in a strong supporting role. Also, The on-screen chemistry between Close & McTeer, is amazing. Mia Wasikowska is splendid. Aaron Johnson is efficient. Brendan Gleeson is a delight to watch.On the whole, 'Albert Nobbs' deserves a watch for its performances!