Venus

I really enjoyed this film, and Peter O'Toole very much deserves the nomination in this years Oscars. On the other hand Leslie Phillips is a true star - a pity he's been overlooked for glory!

This film is the tale of two old actors whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of Jessie, the great niece of Ian (Leslie Phillips). Jessie is the object of Maurice (Peter O'Toole's)infatuation. Now this could have been handled very sordidly - and perhaps there are times when you are made to feel slightly uncomfortable about this obsession by a man in his 80s for a 20 year old girl. However, they both get quite a bit out of the relationship - Jessie is made to feel special, and important, and Maurice finds love in the last months of his life. I think the film is a light hearted, sensitive, funny, moving, examination of friendships and relationships - between Maurice and Jessie (the Venus of the title), and Maurice and Ian. Even the minor characters are superb - Richard Griffiths, Vanessa Redgrave and Bronson Webb. My rating? 8/10