January 5, 2007 -- “Venus” is a film about an actor near the end of his life, who has an unlikely relationship with a young girl. Maurice (played by veteran actor Peter O'Toole of “My Favorite Year”) is an old actor and curmudgeon who likes to hang out with his old friend, Ian (Leslie Phillips of “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”) also an actor. They lead a comfortable existence, trading marvelously witty banter, until Ian's niece's daughter Jessie (Jodie Whittaker) comes to stay with Ian. Maurice takes Jessie away from the house because Ian can't stand her, but somehow he grows fond of her and is intoxicated by her beauty. Jessie barely tolerates the old man and rebuffs his attempts at affection at first. Eventually, however, she comes to care for him, almost like a grandfather.

Maurice, while displaying some lust for Jessie, is generally a good influence on her, transforming her from a spoiled brat to someone who seems to have some potential for becoming a person who might amount to something. Their relationship is decidedly odd, complex and delicate. Each is using the other to get something at first, but it evolves into something better than that. Director Roger Michell (“Notting Hill”) and writer Hanif Kureishi (“The Mother”) negotiate an emotional and potentially unseemly minefield in this film with masterful agility. It could have been a disaster in lesser hands. There are interesting interrelationships between Ian, Jessie, Maurice and Maurice's ex-wife, Valier (Vanessa Redgrave of “The White Countess”). The film also explores the British stage society. It shows us quaint little pubs and shops in a distinct neighborhood. It also explores some of the cruelties of the entertainment business.

O'Toole is still a magnificent actor after all these years and he carries the film well, matched by Jodie Whittaker, who turns in a fine performance. Still, you can't really see Maurice as anybody but Peter O'Toole. This is essentially typecasting, or perhaps even a role that was written specifically for O'Toole. In the film, Maurice even jokes, ironically, about playing another old man who dies in a movie. The comedy in the film doesn't always work, but the sentimentality of it is very bittersweet. It is a very touching film. It is not just about growing old, it is about how love can ennoble people against all odds. If this turns out to be Peter O'Toole's final performance as a leading man, it is not a bad way to go out at all. You can't help but root for him to finally win that best actor Oscar denied him for far too long. This man is a cinematic treasure. He shows why once again in this film. It is a great career bookend to one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema, portraying the enigmatic T.E. Lawrence in “Lawrence of Arabia” 44 years ago, the greatest film ever made. This movie is nowhere near that good, but it rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in video and/or DVD format, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics, theater tickets and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2007 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at .