Albert Nobbs (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Tracy K

  
  Hey there, Glenn Close, I see what you're doing there. I'm just not sure it always works, is all. This is an often touching, often quite sad story about the way the those who do not conform to the demands of their societies function - or not - within the structures of said… More
  Hey there, Glenn Close, I see what you're doing there. I'm just not sure it always works, is all. This is an often touching, often quite sad story about the way the those who do not conform to the demands of their societies function - or not - within the structures of said societies. Close's Albert is something of a cipher - perhaps understandably, considering that "he" has spent his whole life living as a negation of "his" former self - but I wonder if that mystery prevents us from feeling more of a connection with him. When we do feel that connection, it is painful. As for Janet McTeer's Hubert, there is no mystery there - the character is raw and real and vulnerable, and while providing an interesting foil and role model for Albert, seems sometimes to almost throw the title character into shadow as a result. There's an attraction in Albert's enigma, but perhaps not enough to lift the film up a bit higher, and it occasionally loses its way under the weight of the less interesting Helen/Joe storyline. A flawed film, yes, but often a compelling one.

• William D

  
  Glenn Close and Janet McTeer deserved the Oscar nominations they received for their work in 'Albert Nobbs.' They are amazing. They play women living as men. Glenn Close especially blew me away with her ability to transform herself physically. But more than that, she was able… More
  Glenn Close and Janet McTeer deserved the Oscar nominations they received for their work in 'Albert Nobbs.' They are amazing. They play women living as men. Glenn Close especially blew me away with her ability to transform herself physically. But more than that, she was able to capture the deep heart and soul of the character. Her character's name is Albert Nobbs. It's late 19th-century Dublin, and he lives and works as a waiter in a small, friendly hotel. McTeer plays a "man" who briefly works at the hotel repainting rooms. When they strike up a friendship, each is shocked to learn that the other is a woman. They grow to love and encourage each other in a beautiful way. A young maid (played by Mia Wasikowska) captures Albert's heart, which is something that appears never to have happened for him. He struggles to figure out how to date and whether to tell the maid about his gender condition. But the maid is really interested in a handsome, self-absorbed young man (played well by Aaron Johnson from 'Kick-Ass') who also lives and works at the hotel. When the maid ends up pregnant, life at the hotel comes apart, ending in a life-changing spell of violence. 'Albert Nobbs' is a wonderful little film. Once or twice it gets a bit schmaltzy. Director Rodrigo Garcia (best known for his work on the HBO show 'In Treatment') is at heart a television writer/director. That's his medium. All his films (including 2009's 'Mother and Child') have a TV feel. But 'Albert Nobbs' shows that Garcia is getting more comfortable with film. This is by far his best film yet. Incidentally, Garcia is the son of legendary novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

• Carlos M

  
  Glenn Close delivers a very solid performance, but this weak drama does not seem to know exactly what it wants to say. The irregular story wanders without a clear direction, giving in to a lot of expository dialogue and ending in an anticlimactic conclusion.

• danny d

  
  "nobbs" is an unfortunate last name for a man trying to hide the fact that he really is a woman. the film was somewhat interesting, and i always love gleeson on film, but i never really believed that anything redeeming would come of the story. the acting was solid but not… More
  "nobbs" is an unfortunate last name for a man trying to hide the fact that he really is a woman. the film was somewhat interesting, and i always love gleeson on film, but i never really believed that anything redeeming would come of the story. the acting was solid but not great, and the end was terrible. overall, nothing to recommend.

• Everett J

  
  "Albert Nobbs" is a quiet movie about living life as a lie. Glenn Close gives an award worthy performance as Albert Nobbs. Nobbs is a woman who lives life as a man to support herself in 19th Century Ireland. She wants to live life freely, but she has to keep up the… More
  "Albert Nobbs" is a quiet movie about living life as a lie. Glenn Close gives an award worthy performance as Albert Nobbs. Nobbs is a woman who lives life as a man to support herself in 19th Century Ireland. She wants to live life freely, but she has to keep up the charade of being a man, or she will lose her job and livelihood. The movie reminded me of "Brokeback Mountain"(another movie about living life as a lie), in that it's sad that Nobbs had to live that life. However, unlike "Mountain", this is slow and not nearly as engaging. Other than Close's performance, the movie falls flat. Even Janet McTeer's portrayal of Hubert(another woman being a man) doesn't give the movie enough of a balance to be entertaining. I'm usually not big on period piece movies, so I didn't really have high expectations before watching. Worth a watch to see the fantastic work of Glenn Close, but other than that this is pretty forgettable.

• Greg S

  
  Albert Nobbs is a woman secretly living as a man in 19th century Dublin. Glenn Close plays Nobbs believably, but the character is so withdrawn, shy and delusional that it's painful to spend so much time with her; Janet McTeer steals Close's thunder as a more exuberant… More
  Albert Nobbs is a woman secretly living as a man in 19th century Dublin. Glenn Close plays Nobbs believably, but the character is so withdrawn, shy and delusional that it's painful to spend so much time with her; Janet McTeer steals Close's thunder as a more exuberant character in a similar situation.

• Jennifer X

  
  I only like the scenes between Glenn Close and Janet McTeer. The rest of the movie is rather/very dull.

• Liam G

  
  If there is one reason to see ''Albert Nobbs'', it's Glenn Close. Glenn Close is absolutely terrific in this period piece. Not only is her transformation to become this character remarkable, but her portrayal of a butler in 19th Century Ireland with a secret… More
  If there is one reason to see ''Albert Nobbs'', it's Glenn Close. Glenn Close is absolutely terrific in this period piece. Not only is her transformation to become this character remarkable, but her portrayal of a butler in 19th Century Ireland with a secret is incredible. What makes it so great it that she gets us attached to Albert through her subtle facial expressions and mannerisms. It's an Oscar-worthy performance. The rest of the ensemble cast of ''Albert Nobbs'' are solid too. The film's story is compelling, Albert is a fascinating character and I myself was drawn to her tale throughout. Unfortunately, ''Albert Nobbs'' isn't a singular character study of Albert. It tries to be a multiple character study, exploring simply uninteresting characters that make certain scenes drag. There are also some tonal issues, with a few scenes proving very out of place. ''Albert Nobbs'' looks great. The make up is terrific, the cinematography, the costumes etc. all make the 19th Century setting convincing. It's good, not great though, but Glenn Close, she is magnificent.

• Glenn G

  
  I've resisted ALBERT NOBBS until finally breaking down and seeing it, because I'm a guilt-ridden Independent Spirit Award voter who refuses to choose a winner in any particular category until I've seen every nominee. Janet McTeer gets the supporting actress nod here,… More
  I've resisted ALBERT NOBBS until finally breaking down and seeing it, because I'm a guilt-ridden Independent Spirit Award voter who refuses to choose a winner in any particular category until I've seen every nominee. Janet McTeer gets the supporting actress nod here, so off to the screening I dutifully went, despite having an aversion to top hat and corset "white people's problems" films and a somewhat unfounded distaste for Glenn Close, even though we delightfully share the same name. I loved her performance in THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, but normally find her strident, theatrical, and humorless. So it was a bit of a chore to get me to sit down to watch ALBERT NOBBS, a 30 year passion project for Glenn Close about a woman who poses as a male butler in 19th Century Ireland in order to survive. Suspending one's disbelief is crucial here (as it was in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and VICTOR/VICTORIA) because Close isn't credible as a man for a single second. That's not to say her performance isn't good, because I actually think she's great here. Muted, almost invisible, and with a palpable, hugely sympathetic fear of being discovered, Close is a case study in arrested development and survival instincts. Much like Chauncy Gardener in BEING THERE, Nobbs is a character who has put on a mask for so long, that she doesn't truly know how to interact in the real world. Think of it as the non-Jewish version of what Barbara Streisand did years ago. I call it GENTL. Visually, Nobbs disappears into the wallpaper, allowing a strong supporting cast to shine. Beloved for her Oscar-nominated turn in SHIRLEY VALENTINE, Pauline Collins is great as the pretentious, strict yet flirtatious manager of the Morrison Hotel, where many of the guests and workers have their share of secrets. It's not just Nobbs who is hiding something. Virtually everyone else is too. From the new painter, brilliantly played by Janet McTeer, to a quartet of guests, led by Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who aren't the straight pair of couples they at first appear. Bronagh Gallagher is wonderful as a person very important to McTeer's character, proving that you can make an indelible performance out of a couple of scenes. Without giving too much away, I was really surprised by the sadness of this film. A story of missed opportunities, hiding, lost loves, betrayal, and the harsh reality under which women had to live, ALBERT NOBBS, touched me way more than I expected. Despite plot contrivances one could spot a mile (or a meter) away, I was moved. McTeer is particularly vivid as a woman who boldly seizes her moments in life instead of waiting for something that may never come. One of the best scenes in the film is when she and Nobbs change their appearances and run on the beach. Ironically, and a bit hilariously dressed as traditional women, the whiff of freedom they experience is palpable and simultaneously ironic. There's a very smart film here hidden underneath some Masterpiece Theatre-style trappings. I understand why it was Close's burning desire to get it to the screen, not so much for her scenery-chewing role (which it is not), but for the tribute it pays to women in our distant past.

• Jeffrey M

  
  A tragic story, to be sure, marked by some great performances, but with bland storytelling and an unfocused sense of what it's trying to be. We never quite get to understand or empathize with Glenn Close's character, the film never let's us see her true motivations or… More
  A tragic story, to be sure, marked by some great performances, but with bland storytelling and an unfocused sense of what it's trying to be. We never quite get to understand or empathize with Glenn Close's character, the film never let's us see her true motivations or make-up. In that sense, the film is far too restrained and unimaginative with its characters. At its heart, there's a strong message to be had, but it's lost along the way among uninspired direction and a thin script. 2.5/5 Stars

• Jin M

  
  Purporting a vitreous gaze that congeals those who behold it in sheer bewilderment and projecting a guttural voice heavily straining to conceal a secret, "Albert Nobbs" is an oddity whose life, disappointingly, is far less compelling than meets the eye. The experiences and… More
  Purporting a vitreous gaze that congeals those who behold it in sheer bewilderment and projecting a guttural voice heavily straining to conceal a secret, "Albert Nobbs" is an oddity whose life, disappointingly, is far less compelling than meets the eye. The experiences and conflictions of such a visually flabbergasting protagonist contrast drastically in the film`s insipid and disjointed portrayal of other characters whose lives and appearances are far more dreary. Some of the lifelong ambitions of Albert Nobbs are merely touched upon and swiftly erased from memory and inevitably rendered void by a heap of bland occurrences that assuage the intended drama. Consequently, the thematic tribulation of existing in a sexist society is hardly accentuated. It seems "Albert Nobbs" is overly self-absorbed in its image and devotes little attention to developing its emotional profundity. On the other hand, Glenn Close skillfully steps into the shoes of an androgynous and awe-inspiring persona and baffles all spectators with her seamless transition into another, completely unrecognizable body. This is done in such flawlessness that when Albert Nobbs does wear a dress, one cannot help but think that he is witnessing someone cross-dress. Overall, "Albert Nobbs" is externally thrilling but internally dull.

• Cameron J

  
  Man, remember when Glenn Close was beautiful and didn't have to desecrate that for the sake of her art? Yeah, me neither, and speaking of, "yeah, me neither", anyone heard of Janet McTeer? Well, you will remember her now, or at least you would, were it not for Glenn… More
  Man, remember when Glenn Close was beautiful and didn't have to desecrate that for the sake of her art? Yeah, me neither, and speaking of, "yeah, me neither", anyone heard of Janet McTeer? Well, you will remember her now, or at least you would, were it not for Glenn Close being so darn awesome, because although she's messing herself up like she always did, she makes up for it with powerful acting, so I suppose you could say that she was the original Cate Blanchett, especially with those cheek bones that are far from masculine. Actually, I think at this point, Cate Blanchett is the original Glenn Close, because she knocked out to dude role in "I'm Not There", four years ago, and now, I suppose Close is trying to one-up Blanchett by not just being a woman playing a man, but by being a woman playing a woman playing a man! Oh Glenn, you'll do anything for attention again, won't you dear? Well, I don't blame her, because somebody better start paying attention to her again, because she's still got it. Of course, it doesn't matter what she's got, not even this 64-year-old woman disguised, near-seamlessly, as a man can make this film terribly interesting. When you hear about a film that centers on an older woman dress as a male waiter in 19th century Ireland, you're thinking that this is going to be one wacky ride, until you hear that it's a drama and think about what you had for breakfast before you think about what's going on in the film. Well, you don't have a lot to worry about, because there's not too much going on in the film to pay attention to in the first place. Seriously though, the film does drift along its hardly eventful and occasionally repetative storyline quietly and steadily with long periods of just "nothing", making disengagement a very real and fair frequent possibility. Well, as you would expect from hearing about a drama of this type, slowness plagues this storyline. Of course, that's not the only thing that taints this film's potential, as the film is also plagued with melodrama, not a bit of which is too terribly manipulative, but things do get a touch cheesy, particularly towards the end. However, even then, the film doesn't break, because no matter how slow or somewhat messy the film is, it is more than saved by one, single factor: ...The fact that I'm a critic and this is an arty film, so of course I have to love it. No, I kid, but even I wasn't, I picked the wrong film to be snobby about, because this thing seems to be an exception to that steretype that critics like all arty film, because this puppy got mixed review, much like many other Oscar push films of 2011, but just like those other films, this little number still has enough strength behind to make it ultimately enjoyable to me. If nothing else keeps this film from being totally unengaging, then the production will certainly catch your eye, with makeup and sets really making the era, as well as the illusions set by some of our character, almost vividly believable, and it's all complimented by cinematography that's not extremely commendable, but has plenty of glowing moments that really breathe life into this world. Of course, if I could just cut to the chase, the real powers behind the film that really sell everything to you are the performers, especially our certain "female" leads. As much as I joke about Janet McTear being hardly known, she is a name that you really should take note of, because although she is upstaged by the more recognizable (to a degree) Glenn Close, McTear is all but upstaged by Close "only" because she's rather underused, but every time she does grace the screen, she brings a strong charm and presence that's so transformative and really sells you on her secret, and it certainly helps that who ever says that the makeup isn't terribly convincing on her is speaking some bull, because the disguise on her is almost more convincing than Close's. However, that's not to say that Glenn Close isn't convincing in her disguise, and "that" is not to say that the makeup is the only thing that sells the Albert Nobbs disguise, because Glenn Close gives a performance that's not only transformatively convincing, but genuinely excellent outside of the disguise aspect, as she has such a subtely emotional aura of compellingness that really absorbs you and gives you a genuine sense of tension that, at any moment, she'll slip up, blow her cover and have to deal with Aaron Johnson fiending after her, because we all know how ol' Curly Q here digs the older girls. Well, when his alternative is Mia Wasikowska, I think that even he's got to surrender to his own age ran. ...Oh wait, he's 21 and she's 22, so I guess there really is no stopping a cougar hunter. No, but seriously though, Close leads this film, as well as the challenge it presents, seemingly effortlessly, and watching her deliver one of the best performances of 2011, as far as women "and" actors go, is the key strength that makes this film worth watching. When it's all said and done, the film is slowed down by a rather dull tone - complete with a lack of eventfulness, some repetion and moments of simply nothing going on - and the moments of melodrama aren't helping, but what picks things up and makes the film enjoyable is the lush production, but most of all, the strong performances, particularly that of Glenn Close, who's deliverance of such a powerful, transformative and often emotional performance that's worthy of making the shortlist of best female performances of the year leaves "Albert Nobbs" a quite respectable portrait on what a woman living in a man's world [b]"really"[/b] looks like. 3/5 - Good

• John C

  
  A sad and sorrowfully moving story expressed vividly through great acting by not only Close and McTeer but by all the actors. If you ever think that life is unfair then watch this for it will snap you out of your pity party. (1-29-12)

• Christopher H

  
  The performances in this film make up for whatever the plot lacks. Glenn Close blends into this role of a woman dressing as a man in the 19th century. Janet McTeer out-shines in her role, becoming the best parts of the film. The side story between Aaron Johnson and Mia Wasikowska is… More
  The performances in this film make up for whatever the plot lacks. Glenn Close blends into this role of a woman dressing as a man in the 19th century. Janet McTeer out-shines in her role, becoming the best parts of the film. The side story between Aaron Johnson and Mia Wasikowska is almost worthy of its own film and adds most of what drives this film.

• Philip P

  
  I have always been aware of Glenn Close, it is just with my generation she has never been the movie star that she was just before my time. I wasn't born yet or wasn't old enough to appreciate her work when she was in her prime and as silly as this may sound, where my mind… More
  I have always been aware of Glenn Close, it is just with my generation she has never been the movie star that she was just before my time. I wasn't born yet or wasn't old enough to appreciate her work when she was in her prime and as silly as this may sound, where my mind goes to when I think of Glenn Close is in fact Cruella DeVil. When I saw her in the live action version of "101 Dalmations" when I was nine years-old she was great. I could have imagined no better incarnation of the classic Disney villain, but I still had no idea who Glenn Close was. Since then, her major influence on the Hollywood scene has been the TV show "Damages". Since, I have of course seen more of her work, whether it be "Fatal Attraction", "Dangerous Liasons" or "Air Force One" but I haven't felt like I really got to know Glenn Close until watching her latest, passion project "Albert Nobbs". The bad thing is, that as much as this premise promises to be engaging, interesting and certainly thought provoking, it turns out to be a rather dull experience. This is not by the simple fact it is set in 19th Century Ireland either; I love the time period, the way of life and there is a strong supporting cast here that should lavish our main character with layers of interesting places to go. That is the problem though, much like Nobbs him/herself the film feels full of dreams and aspirations that never actually come to fruition. If you haven't heard of the film or are unsure what the story is, it gives a glimpse into the life of a woman who has concealed her gender for more than thirty years. She has worked as a butler of sorts at a Dublin hotel for the upper class. She has concealed her true identity for so long though she has made and settled herself in her own trappings. The film picks up when Albert is suddenly confronted with dilemmas to the lifestyle she has carried on for so long and her dedication to the role is challenged by the arrival of a painter who turns out to understand Albert better than anyone could have imagined. This introduces us to Hubert as played by Janet McTeer, who is truly one of the more moving performances in the film. There is an odd side story that begins to play into the main plot of the film that has Albert attempting to help a pretty hotel maid named Helen (Mia Wasikowska). Albert seeing what Hubert has done to make a happy existence out of a similar situation allows Albert hope that she too may have that same kind of companionship. There is also the fact that Albert has been saving her money for years in order to begin her own business but as Nobbs tries to swoon Helen it is well known by the rest of the staff that Helen has already taken up with the hotel's new handyman Joe (Aaron Johnson). Joe likes the idea of taking advantage of weird and meek little Albert's generosity but Helen finds it morally incomprehensible the more Joe tries to take. With all of this going on, and a bad plague of the fever adding extra stress this sounds like a rather relentless drama filled with plenty of things to keep it busy when in reality it transfers to the screen in a slow paced and devastating, but not in the way I anticipated. While this summary may allow someone to see where this could be extremely interesting as a film to watch play out it instead doesn't offer enough insight into the complex world of Albert as I wanted. I was eager to see the film as I thought it sounded like an interesting and somewhat original take on a psychological state of mind. This has always been a source of much interest for me and to see such an odd predicament as a woman pretending for so long to conceal what she really was in a time when the advantages of such a trick were clearly evident is all the more reason to understand her reasoning but clearly there are more deep seeded issues going on. The main problem with Close's production though is the fact her title character is too reclusive that even we as an audience never feel we get to know Albert in a personal way. We are made to feel like the rest of the staff at hotel who only know Albert from a distance. They are somewhat befuddled by the recluse that never exposes himself enough to either become vulnerable or a part of their small community. While Close is clearly dedicated to the role and this is a project close to her heart as she also co-wrote the screenplay, wrote an original song for the film and produced it, still, the character she inhabits is not a central focus. instead Nobbs should be a supporting player in the tale of Hubert. With Janet McTeer, she embodies the painter with a real sense of who she is in a world confused. While Albert is trying to figure out his role in the world Hubert is already living it. There collision with one another is the heart of the film no doubt, it just seemed the perspective was off. "Albert Nobbs" is one of those pieces of work that is, from its conceptualization as a motion picture, set up to be an awards contender. Surely Close and McTeer will receive nominations for their respective work, but if a film as a whole is not as interesting or in Nobbs' case, well played, does it merit the aspired awards praise? It's not that I am coming down on "Albert Nobbs" as it is a bad film, but for all the award seeking films coming out at this time of the year this certainly feels like the one with bigger aspirations than its actual context could support. I am usually a movie-goer who will see any film that looks to be a contender come awards season, but I wanted to see "Albert Nobbs" purely out of the interest in the story it was telling. Sadly, it didn't engage me as I expected and even with supporting players like the ever promising Aaron Johnson and Mia Wasikowska who seem wise beyond their years as far as interest in roles go but can't do enough with their ill fated storyline to add real spice to the films dull palette. Even the always entertaining Brendan Gleeson and a small cameo by Jonathan Rhys Myers can't up the fun factor here as Nobbs is just not enough of a presence to carry the full weight of our interests for nearly two hours. I admire Close for her love of the project but this won't change how I think of her. When I hear her name I'll still think of Cruella rather than quiet ole Albert.

• Daisy M

  
  Another Golden Globe contender, but for Glenn Close for best performance by an actress. At first sight, Albert Nobbs could seem to be another cliche period film that followed the tradition. But once you got into it, it turned to be a surprisingly character drama focused around one… More
  Another Golden Globe contender, but for Glenn Close for best performance by an actress. At first sight, Albert Nobbs could seem to be another cliche period film that followed the tradition. But once you got into it, it turned to be a surprisingly character drama focused around one courageous woman whose loneliness got the better of her years of living in secret as a man. She was a waitress, a fragile woman dressing as a man and actress Glenn Close went into the role with such passion that she really was Albert Nobbs..It was such a delicate human performance, and as far as I knew its was surely one of the best of Close's career. Janet McTeer's characterization was superb. Her body helped a lot in her portrayal of Hubert Page. But I don't believe that she surpassed Close's here. Her character was quite different,but both did quite well in the roles they played in the films.I was disappointed with the ending,that's the reason I could not rate higher. The Golden Globe nominations were well deserved, and I am expecting an Oscar nomination also.

Read all 16 featured audience ratings