namashi_1 Some actors prove us that they can act. Some actors make us know that they can act. But The Late/Great Peter O'Toole shows us how its really done in 'Venus'. The Honorary Oscar-Winner & 8-Time Oscar-Nominee, O'Toole is an acting masterclass in 'Venus', a wonderful film that proudly rests of his shoulders to do it all. Its a performance that didn't Win the Oscar for Best Actor, and believe me, that's surprising in so many ways.'Venus' Synopsis: Life for a pair of veteran actors gets turned upside down after they meet a brash teenager. 'Venus' could've easily passed as a creepy story of an old-man eyeing a brash teenager. BUT, its actually a mature & affecting film about desires & companionship. Sure, O'Toole's Maurice is an old man & the girl Jessie, played Jodie Whittaker, is decades younger than him. And yet they develop a bond, that is a testament of human desires. 'Venus' doesn't make Maurice look like a dirty old man who'd you call a monster just because he still feels attracted to a much younger women, nor does it make Jessie look like a pervert, who invests most of her time with an older man, with quiet sensuality. This is a story of people forming a bond & how the desires live on, even after you're termed 'old' or 'too young'. And 'Venus' portrays it with class & genuine feeling. This isn't a cheap film, but in fact, a human film about human emotions.Hanif Kureishi's Screenplay is affecting & exceedingly funny at times. The Writing has depth, from start to end. Roger Michell's Direction is excellent. He's handled this complex story, with pure brilliance. Cinematography is perfect. Editing is nicely done. Art & Costume Design add hugely to the narrative.And at the center of 'Venus' is The MIGHTY Peter O'Toole. Watching The Thespian here is a pleasure beyond words. O'Toole delivers a masterpiece of a performance, that ranks amongst the finest I've ever seen. Its a portrayal driven in subtlety & is anchored by heart. O 'Toole makes his character look human, rather than monstrous & that's the genius of his superior portrayal. From start to finish, O'Toole puts up an acting masterclass.And lending O'Toole superb support are Jodie Whittaker, Leslie Phillips, Vanessa Redgrave & The Late/Great Richard Griffiths. On the whole, 'Venus' reminds us the Giant that Peter O'Toole was. Watch it & be rewarded.

janisgale I saw this film last night on TV and was so moved by it, I had to write a review. The story of an old man's last weeks on earth was touching and subtly revealing. Little by little the main character's personalities were revealed and the audience came to discover the secrets in their earlier lives. The performances of O'Toole and Lesley Phillips were stunning, as was that of the young actress, who until this movie was an unknown entity. In addition the script and superb direction made this movie a perfect one for me and certainly a film to remember.

kenjha An actor north of 70 lusts after a twenty-something woman. Yes, it is as creepy as it sounds, although it seems the filmmakers see it as a tender love story. Adding to the creep factor is O'Toole's behavior. He looks ancient and doesn't have the...um...tools to romance a young lady, but he has the raging hormones of a teenager and the vocabulary of a truck driver. He's not a likable person and neither is Whittaker as the young woman who uses him for material gain. The best parts of the movie are the funny scenes featuring O'Toole, Phillips, and Grifiths as old geezers gathering at a restaurant to commiserate about their pathetic lives.

jzappa Venus is what can truly be called an actor's film. In the hands of another director, it could have been more, but the way it is in the hands of Roger Michell, were it not for Peter O'Toole, it would hardly be much. Leslie Phillips and Richard Griffiths provide terrific background performances, not to mention that of the very promising and persuasive young actress Jodie Whittaker. There is even the graceful presence of Vanessa Redgrave's walk-on role, but the lasting impression of the film is unremarkable. That does not, however, detract from how interesting and real the story is itself.Harif Kureishi's script concerns O'Toole, who plays a revered English actor whose work and cherished social life have been weather-beaten since he is now geriatric. However he finds himself more and more attracted to his long-time friend's great-niece, while at the same time finding himself in failing health because of prostate cancer. His friend describes Whittaker's punkish, self-seeking teenager as a trouble maker and a pain, but O'Toole finds that she rather endears to him when he starts interacting with her. He takes her to see his favorite painting, Velázquez's Venus. She alludes to an interest in modeling, growing into a funny initial scene in which he initially misunderstands her and thinks she is interested in yodeling. He sets her up to model nude for an art class. Because of her posing for the art class, and informed by his favorite painting, he gives her the nickname Venus. The two flesh out a passive-aggressive relationship throughout the film. He is too romantically bold while she sporadically panders to his urges to a restricted point, for instance touching her hand and smelling her neck, but sharply withdraws her lenience when she feels that he has gone too far.The movie follows the developing connection between the two characters. This seems to be the last crack at something akin to a love life, as his prostate operation has left him impotent. It is less apparent what Whittaker sees in O'Toole. Throughout, we see her do everything from trying to get him to buy her presents, trying to use his apartment to have sex with a sleazy boy, take care of him, flirt with him, reject him sexually and connect with him as a friend. At one point, we find that she has been rejected by her mother and great- uncle for her promiscuous standard of living. Essentially, it's about the unfortunate gap and great room for discomfort between someone who is harshly judged by so many and someone who would never think to judge her, too old and too wise and too far into his last legs to care about what is and is not socially acceptable.This is not a badly made film. I admired the clashing of worlds of O'Toole and Whittaker, mainly through the use of music. There just isn't a lot of impact. I wanted to want to think about this movie afterward, but Venus just didn't radiate. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth a viewing.