"Mr. Turner," A Luminous, Overlooked Film About English Landscape Painter, William Turner

Dear David,

Thanks for your email.

We will miss Maria in Spain as she has accepted a plum position as summer-long nature guide in Aspen, Colorado.

***

I have fond memories of our time at Niagara.

Roger Woodward, Niagara Falls Miracle

http://www.infoniagara.com/history/rogerwoodward_miracle.aspx

Just last night, "The Falls" was mentioned in a luminous "small" movie about British painter, William Turner --- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._M._W._Turner --- an experience I shared with psychologist friend, Chuck.  

"Mr. Turner" - http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mr_turner/

I do not recall such wide divergence between critics' high scores (98% approval) and viewers low scores (60% approval).

In this instance, the critics are right.

***

Every scene is a "painting" -- a luscious one -- yet with no sense of affectation. 

Short of seeing "Mr. Turner," one cannot fathom how this remarkable quality plays out.

I said to Chuck: "Although the script is well done, you could turn off the sound and thoroughly delight in the visuals alone." 

There is nothing like it.

Often, Turner himself is gruntingly direct, and - in his personal relationships - not always easy to bear.

But "The Light" -- despite, and sometimes because of Turner's bizarre romances -- easily wins the day.

One of the movie's many strengths is that none of the actors are "known" so that, from the viewer's vantage, they inhabit characters seamlessly without subconscious confusion that you're watching a "celebrity" play a part.

Chuck and I "came away" thinking "Mr. Turner" (released Dec. 19, 2014) should have won Oscars. 

Handily.

Paz contigo

Alan

PS If you have chance to see "Mr. Turner," I encourage you to watch with subtitles as the accents can be challenging.

PPS Did I relay my idea that Hollywood would do well to launch a "cultural institution" whereby composition of cinematic theme songs would be open to "global contest." I am struck by the mediocrity of many musical themes and keenly aware of the appalling dimwittedness that ignores the deep well of inspired musicians just waiting for "a chance." That said, "Mr. Turner" -- which has no theme song as such -- is pervaded by music that treads a fine line between "period piece" and the kind of sparkling digression that increasingly characterized Turner's own work.