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| WOMAN IN GOLD movie poster |
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| Helen Mirren |
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| Ryan Reynolds |
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| Maria Altman |
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| Randol Schoenberg |
The movie was directed by Simon Curtis.
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| Simon Curtis |
When her sister dies, Maria Altman sorting through her sister's belongings, discovers documentation regarding the portrait of her aunt, Adele Bloch-Bauer painted by famous artist Gustav Klimt. The portrait is sometimes referred to as "Woman ind Gold" because Klimt used gold leaf on the painting. When Maria decides to see what her opinions are to claim the portrait she enlists the assistance of a young lawyer, Randol Schoenberg, the son of a close friend.
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| Gustav Klimt |
During the negotiations, the two must travel to Vienna and set up a meeting with the Director of the Belvedere Gallery where the portrait is proudly displayed . When Maria sees the painting her life flashes back to when the portrait was being painted and how she sat on her aunt's lap, helped her fasten the jeweled collar necklace and kept her company during the sitting. Maria also remembers the life she lived in Vienna with her sister, parents, aunt and uncle and the music, the parties, the fun and the love that they all shared with each other. Eventually Maria grows up and marries a young opera singer and the joyful occasion is celebrated in their home with family and friends.
Then the Nazi's arrive in Austria. Maria's family is stripped of all their possessions including the portrait. Maria and her husband manage to secure a pass for a trip to Cologne where they will then be smuggled into Switzerland. Her sister and her uncle are already there. Her parents are unable to leave and die at the hands of the Nazi's.
During Maria and Randol's time in Vienna, they do make friends with a young Austrian reporter played by Daniel Bruhl. He later tells them both that one of the reasons he is helping them is that that his father was a Nazi and he was trying to atone for his father's deeds.
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| David Bruhl |
When all their requests and hearings in Vienna lead to heartbreak, the two return to California. Maria decides to give up the quest. She is tired of fighting, and just wants to return to her quite life and her dress shop. But Randol can not let it go - even at the cost of his job. One day he is perusing in a local bookstore and finds items for sell with Adele's portrait on them. He decides to try the legal system one more time using the American fair trade laws. As the case is pending in the Supreme Court, Maria meets with the director of the Belvedere Museum but his idea of a comprise is for Maria to go away without the painting and leave it in Vienna. Maria is told that Adele's portrait is Vienna's Mona Lisa and will never leave. But Maria finds the will to continue the fight - she will not let "them" win again.
As by now you must know dear readers, that Maria does win her legal battles and the portrait of her Aunt Adele was once more in her care.
Side note: The painting was eventually purchased by Ronald S. Lauder of the cosmetics firm. for $135 million. It is now on display at the Neve Gallerie in New York City.
The Travelling Toe gives the movie 1 big toe up with 2 layers of gold leaf.
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| Adele Bloch-Bauer |
Disclaimer: The Travelling Toe is not a professional movie critic and any opinions expressed are for entertainment purposes only.
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