Film Discussion: Mr. Turner

1)  Mr. Turner is a Mike Leigh movie, like Topsy Turvy, Happy Go Lucky, Secrets and Lies and many other fabulous movies that probe the stories behind the stories of the lives of ordinary people. Leigh’s film-making process is unlike that of any other filmmaker, and his results are always stunning. The failure of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to nominate Mr. Turner for a Best Picture Oscar (when they nominated only eight of a possible ten) is inexplicable.

2)  The movie stars long-time Leigh collaborator Timothy Spall as JMW Turner, the British painter who transformed British painting in the first half of the 19th century. His glorious canvases gradually morphed into impressionistic landscapes, befuddling many of his contemporaries and delighting art lovers ever since. The failure of AMPAS to nominate Timothy Spall for an Oscar is explainable (only five nominations), but not forgivable.

3)  I’ve actually seen Mr. Turner, and it’s a feast for the eyes, filmed so as to reflect the beauty that Turner saw, but others frequently didn’t. Mike Leigh didn’t have a big budget (and there’s a great story there), but he got stunning results from every pound.

Mike Leigh’s productions, unlike most movies, are unlike most movies. Leigh and his actors improvise their way through a long, long rehearsal period, finally arriving at a cinematic truth that has a deep, committed logic to it. Turner was an odd character, and not immediately attractive. But Spall and Leigh find the humanity that underlies the genius of his works. You won’t forget Turner (or Mr. Turner) soon.

So, with renewed resolve to get my announcement out sooner next time, I will just say that I hope to see you tonight. And I will remind you that we will also be discussing Still Alice on March 17 and The Duke of Burgundy on March 24.

Paul Goodwin
TMHMG