Given George Clooney’s last few ventures into directing, it is almost hard to believe that the Monuments Men is the work of the same director. His previous projects were insightful, political, challenging and in some cases, quite brilliant. The name Clooney now brings with an expectation level along with it. Whether this is with dramatic performances or behind the camera, the days of the doctor from E.R. are long forgotten, we are witness to a movie great.
The speculation about the Monuments Men began when Clooney pulled the film out of Oscar consideration; the studio and George both deciding that this really wasn’t the kind of film that was going to have the same draw as his last venture, the excellent Ides of March. Taking The Monuments Men out of the Oscar firing line sent a very clear message out, not only was this not the usual Clooney film, it was also a much less serious one.
However, the harsh reviews that the film has been receiving from critics seem to be somewhat misplaced and certainly a little over the top.
The Monuments Men is based on a true story of a group of men who were recruited during the Second World War by the United States to both protect priceless and irreplaceable art work and to attempt to track down some of the amazing pieces that had been stolen. Hitler had at one stage fancied himself as an artist and because of this, he set about gathering the greatest art works from various museums. Recruited by Clooney’s character Frank Stokes, the former art gallery curators, lecturers and architects receive basic training before they head to Europe to take part in a brutal war.
When they reach the war however in 1944, the reality of what they witness is far worse than what they expected. Setting out in separate groups to discover where art may have been hidden or tracking down what they can, the men witness the harsh war in ways they could not have imagined. Even though they have only received basic training, they are as much a part of war as those around them but instead of saving people’s lives, they attempt to save the culture.
First off, do not believe the reviews you read; The Monuments Men, although quite simplistic, is every bit as enjoyable as that random war film your father insisted you watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. No, it is most certainly not going to change your life, but it is still just a fine way to pass the time.
The cast are also fine, although this certainly looks like more a pet project for Clooney more than anything else and the cat calls of “Ocean’s Eleven in the War” is a little too accurate at times. Bill Murray is, as usual, the shining light, although Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin and John Goodman are all very charming.
The main problem is that the Monuments Men is nice, but it’s just that, just nice. The plot meanders off wherever it likes and you will find yourself questioning why certain things are happening or where different people are.
Just don’t expect too much of it, but don’t hate it either. This is just all fine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CreneTs7sGs
