Albert Nobbs
| Albert Nobbs | |
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| Directed by | Rodrigo García |
| Produced by | Glenn Close, Bonnie Curtis, John Goff[1] |
| Written by | Glenn Close John Banville |
| Based on | "The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs" by George Moore |
| Starring | Glenn Close Mia Wasikowska Aaron Johnson Janet McTeer Pauline Collins Jonathan Rhys Meyers Brendan Gleeson Maria Doyle Kennedy |
| Music by | Brian Byrne |
| Distributed by | Lionsgate Roadside Attractions (USA) Entertainment One (UK) |
| Release date(s) |
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| Running time | 113 minutes |
| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
| Budget | €6,000,000[2] ($7.5m approx.) |
| Box office | $5,410,553 (worldwide)[3] |
Albert Nobbs is a drama film directed by Rodrigo García and starring Glenn Close. The screenplay is based on a novella by Irish novelist George Moore.
The film received mixed reviews, but the performances by Glenn Close and Janet McTeer were praised; they were nominated for the Academy Award in the categories of Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. They also received Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Makeup.
The novella had been earlier adapted as a theatre play in which Close starred.[4]
Contents |
Plot [edit]
Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close) is a woman living as a man in order to find work in the harsh environment of 19th-century Ireland. After living as a male for thirty years, Albert, working as a hotel waiter, is known for his extreme dedication to his job, as well as for a very introverted personality. Albert has been secretly saving all his earnings to buy a tobacco shop to gain some measure of freedom and independence.
Albert's steadfast focus on this is shaken by the sudden arrival of Hubert Page (Janet McTeer), a house painter hired by Mrs. Baker (Pauline Collins), the hotel owner. Albert is shocked that Hubert is to room with him while he works at the hotel. On their first night, Hubert discovers Albert's secret, but he promises never to reveal it, much to Albert's relief. The next day, Hubert confesses he is also a woman. Hubert leaves soon after, but not before telling Albert that he has a wife named Cathleen, a dressmaker.
Meanwhile, recently unemployed Joe Mackins (Aaron Johnson) arrives at the hotel to repair the boiler. Flirtatious maid Helen Dawes (Mia Wasikowska) is attracted to him, and they become lovers; Joe's controlling nature and alcoholism soon become apparent, however.
Albert visits Hubert at his home and meets Cathleen (Bronagh Gallagher). Albert tells Hubert the story of his life: born a bastard and abandoned by his parents, he is raised and educated in a convent before being kicked out after his mother, who had apparently been paying for Albert's care, dies. One night, when he was fourteen, he was brutally gang raped and beaten by a group of men. Immediately afterwards, after hearing there is a need for waiters, he buys a suit, masquerading as a boy, and is hired. He chooses to continue to work and eventually live as a man. He never reveals his birth name to Hubert -- he thinks of himself solely as "Albert".
Believing Helen may be the ideal wife to run a shop with, Albert asks her to leave with him. Helen refuses, but Joe, believing that Albert will give Helen money that could help the pair emigrate to America, encourages Helen to lead him on. Helen agrees to be with Albert, who buys Helen expensive gifts to please her. Helen is uncomfortable with Albert and the arrangement that Joe forced her to make. Albert tells Helen he wants to buy a shop, though Helen only wants to leave Ireland for America.
A typhoid epidemic breaks out in Dublin, and when some staff fall ill, customers avoid the hotel, causing financial problems. Albert becomes infected but soon recovers, while Helen discovers she is pregnant with Joe's child. Joe is terrified, fearing he will become like his abusive father. Albert goes to Hubert's home and learns that Cathleen died, devastating Hubert. As a tribute to her, Albert and Hubert don dresses Cathleen made and take a stroll on the beach. Though both at first are extremely uncomfortable, they eventually enjoy spending the day together as women. They take a walk along the beach where Albert, feeling free, runs in the sand. But a stumble and fall bring him back to reality and he and Hubert return to Hubert's, change back into their men's clothing, and go back to their lives as before.
Back at the hotel, Albert learns Helen is pregnant and offers to marry her. Helen refuses, sensing Albert does not love her, though Albert agrees with her fear that Joe will abandon her and the child and go to America alone. Later that evening, when Joe and Helen get into a loud fight, Albert intervenes. Albert physically attacks Joe when he attempts to hurt Helen in a fit of rage; Joe throws Albert against a wall, hitting Albert's head. Albert returns to his room, bleeding from one ear. He dies later that night, presumably as a result of his head injury.
Mrs. Baker discovers Albert's hidden money and uses it to revitalize the hotel. In the following months, Joe has gone to America and Helen has given birth to a son, Albert Joseph. Mrs. Baker makes further use of Albert's money by hiring Hubert to paint the entire hotel. Hubert sees Helen again, who breaks down and reveals that she will be separated from her son and thrown out into the street. Hubert tells her, "We can't let that happen, can we?", implying that he will look after her.
Production [edit]
Close first played the titular character in a 1982 stage production and spent fifteen years trying to turn it into a film.[4][5] The film almost went into production in the early 2000s, with director Istvan Szabo, but the financing fell apart.[6] In addition to her starring role, Close is also a producer and co-writer with John Banville.[6]
Production was scheduled to begin in July 2010 but was delayed until December, when Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson replaced Amanda Seyfried and Orlando Bloom.[7] Filming commenced on 13 December on location in Dublin and Wicklow.[5] In July 2011, it was announced that Albert Nobbs would screen at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival in September and the first official photos from the film were released.[8][9]
Cast [edit]
- Glenn Close as Albert Nobbs
- Mia Wasikowska as Helen Dawes[10]
- Aaron Johnson as Joe Mackins
- Janet McTeer as Hubert Page[10]
- Pauline Collins as Mrs. Baker[10]
- Brenda Fricker as Polly[10]
- Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Viscount Yarrell
- Brendan Gleeson as Dr. Holloran
- Maria Doyle Kennedy as Mary
- Mark Williams as Seán
- Serena Brabazon as Mrs. Moore
- Michael McElhatton as Mr. Moore
- Kenneth Collard as Mr. Pigot
- Bronagh Gallagher as Cathleen Page
- Antonia Campbell-Hughes as Emmy
Reception [edit]
The film has earned mostly mixed reviews from critics. Albert Nobbs currently holds a 55% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 117 reviews. Metacritic.com gave the film a 57 out of 100, with mixed or average reviews based on 41 critics.
Release [edit]
The film opened in January 2012 at 245 locations.[11] As of March 11, 2012, its gross stands at $5,410,553.[12]
Accolades [edit]
| Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 84th Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Glenn Close | Nominated |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Janet McTeer | Nominated | |
| Best Makeup | Martial Corneville Lynn Johnson Matthew W. Mungle |
Nominated | |
| AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards | Best Actress | Glenn Close | Won |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Janet McTeer | Nominated |
| Female Icon Award | Glenn Close | Won | |
| Actress Defying Age and Ageism | Glenn Close | Nominated | |
| Most Egregious Love Interest Age Difference Award | Glenn Close (64), Mia Wasikowska (22) | Won | |
| 1st AACTA International Awards | Best Actress – International | Glenn Close | Nominated |
| Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Makeup | Lorraine Glynn Lynn Johnson |
Nominated |
| GLAAD Media Awards | Outstanding Film - Wide Release | Nominated | |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama | Glenn Close | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture | Janet McTeer | Nominated | |
| Best Original Song | "Lay Your Head Down" by Brian Byrne & Glenn Close | Nominated | |
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Female | Janet McTeer | Nominated |
| Irish Film & Television Awards | Best Film | Alan Moloney Bonnie Curtis Julie Lynn Glenn Close |
Nominated |
| Best Script for Film | John Banville Glenn Close |
Nominated | |
| Best International Actress | Glenn Close | Won | |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film | Brendan Gleeson | Nominated | |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film | Brenda Fricker | Nominated | |
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film | Maria Doyle Kennedy | Nominated | |
| Best Make Up & Hair | Lorraine Glynn Lynn Johnson |
Won | |
| Best Original Score | Brian Byrne | Won | |
| Best Sound | Brendan Deasy Niall Brady Michelle Cunniffe Steve Fanagan |
Won | |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Janet McTeer | Nominated |
| Online Film Critics Society | Best Supporting Actress | Janet McTeer | Nominated |
| Phoenix Film Critics Society | Best Supporting Actress | Glenn Close | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | Actress in a Motion Picture | Glenn Close | Nominated |
| Actress in a Supporting Role | Janet McTeer | Nominated | |
| Screenplay: Adapted | George Moore Glenn Close John Banville The play by Gabriella Prekop |
Nominated | |
| Original Song | "Lay Your Head Down" by Brian Byrne & Glenn Close | Won | |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role | Glenn Close | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role | Janet McTeer | Nominated | |
| Southeastern Film Critics Association | Best Supporting Actress | Janet McTeer | Won |
| Tokyo International Film Festival | Best Actress | Glenn Close | Won |
| Tokyo Grand Prix | Rodrigo García | Nominated | |
| Women Film Critics Circle | Best Movie About Women | Nominated | |
| Best Female Images in a Movie | Nominated | ||
| Courage in Acting - Taking on unconventional roles that radically redefine the images of women on screen | Glenn Close | Won | |
| Women's Work: Best Ensemble | Nominated | ||
| World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film | Glenn Close, Brian Byrne and Sinéad O'Connor | Won |
References [edit]
- ^ Fort Worth real estate tycoon makes bet on big screen, Dallas Business Journal, January 13, 2012, Accessed 12-31-12
- ^ "‘Albert Nobbs’ Nabs Irish & International Actors". Irish Film and Television Network. 8 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ "Albert Nobbs at Box Office Mojo". Box Office Mojo. 11 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ^ a b McGreevy, Ronan (10 December 2010). "Close gathers stars in Dublin as celluloid dream to come true". Irish Times. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Close: Filming in Dublin a dream". Press Association. 9 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ a b Macnab, Geoffrey (27 January 2011). "Albert Nobbs". Screen Daily. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ "Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson Join Albert Nobbs". movieweb.com. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ^ Fleming, Mike (26 July 2011). "2011 Toronto Film Festival: Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball,' Madonna's 'W.E.', George Clooney's 'The Ides Of March' Make Cut". Deadline.com. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ Dang, Simon (26 July 2011). "New Photos: Glenn Close, Aaron Johnson & Mia Wasikowska In ‘Albert Nobbs’". indieWire. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d DeBruge, Peter (3 September 2011). "Variety Reviews - Albert Nobbs". Retrieved 3 September 2011.
- ^ Weinstein, Joshua L. (January 29, 2012). "Indie Box Office: Oscar-Nominated 'Albert Nobbs' Opens Strong to Nearly $773K". The Wrap (Reuters).
- ^ "Albert Nobbs (2012)". Box Office Mojo.
External links [edit]
- Albert Nobbs at the Internet Movie Database
- Albert Nobbs at Rotten Tomatoes
- Albert Nobbs at Metacritic
- A Story-Teller's Holiday by George Moore, 1918. Chapters 45 through 53 contain the story later reprinted in Celibate Lives as "The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs".
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