With Glenn Close and Janet McTeer providing dazzling performances, the sad, intimate, always-reaching-but-never-touching story that is "Albert Nobbs," falls short of excellence, a conclusion I intensely disliked having to reach. But the movie, which opens here today, fails to strike the necessary chord. Perhaps the brilliant Close is just too tightly wrapped, disappearing into herself too often.
It's a project that Close, such a the wonderful actor, has worked on ever since 1982, when she did an off-Broadway production of the play, written by Simone Benmussa and based on George Moore's 1918 story. Close also served as one of the producers, co-wrote the screenplay with Gabriella Prokop and John Banville, and contributed lyrics to Brian Byrne's original music.
St. Louis theater buffs may recall a production by Theatre Project Company, starring Fontaine Syer, in the 1980s, performed at the old Gatesworth on Union boulevard.
Close, tight-lipped and almost silent, poses as a man to be the title character, working as a waiter at Morrison's Hotel in Dublin. There is a strict pecking order among the staff, and there is an aura of politeness and tact. They speak formally to one another in strict adherence to late 19th-century manners and morals. Close, living in constant fear of being found out, seems to almost disappear into the wallpaper. She hides her savings under a floorboard in the depressing room, checking their safety at least once a day. And then Hubert Page (Janet McTeer) shows up. Tall and taking long, shambling strides, he's a house painter — and also a woman. McTeer absorbs the role in glorious fashion, and in my opinion, both she and Close deserve the Academy Awards for which they have been nominated. They are so alike, and so different, that it's amazing, and to see Hubert try to teach Albert is a warm and wonderful thing. Their outing on the beach at Brighton is a sheer delight.
Pauline Collins is Mrs. Baker, who runs the hotel, flirts with the (male) customers, winks at any immoral thoughts by them, and has a splendid run-in with Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, who's a high-style guest. Brendan Gleeson, as a physician with richly developed carnal desires, is another acting highlight, as is Mia Wasikowska as Helen, a young waitress.
Mr. Nobbs, who probably has never had a sexual experience, perhaps only a handful of sexual thought, has a goal for that under-the-floorboard stash, and "walks out" with Helen, adopting a protective air. Meanwhile, of course, she has no idea of what Helen is like and where her allegiance lies. For all her made-up life, for all her duplicity, she's an innocent.
Unfortunately, and despite a full complement of outstanding acting, and stylish direction from Rodrigo Garcia, there just is not enough story, not enough interaction among the characters, to fill a feature-length film.
Albert Nobbs opens today at several theaters
— Joe