“Albert Nobbs” - originally viewed and comments written 11-3-11.  (Before Oscar nominations were announced.  Note the predictions of Larry H. as early as November; both Glenn Close and Janet McTeer were nominated for an Oscar for their roles.)

The setting is late 19^th century Ireland when women are second class citizens and not allowed to have the best paying jobs.  Albert Nobbs, played by Glenn Close, who we know to be a woman, decides to hide her gender and work as a male waiter in a fancy hotel in order to have a job that pays well.  Albert’s goal and dream is to save enough money to buy a shop and become a tobacconists.

This is a fabulously fascinating film and will garner many nominations including the sixth nomination for Ms. Close for Best Actress.  Close is also credited as co-writer and producer; this is her film and she will be richly rewarded.  The other obvious awards will go to costumes, editing, and screenplay.  And if I am in charge, Janet McTeer will be nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Hubert.

Mia Wasikowska, age 22, plays opposite Close’s Albert with some electric scenes.  When you see this picture, and you will sooner or later, please remember that Close is 63 when she kisses the 22 year-old Wasikowska; that is deserving of an Oscar in itself.  Close’s performance is memorable and magnificent because she is believable without overplaying her Albert.  Her biggest sin is that she looks strikingly like a pale, closely-shaved Robin Williams.  She reminded me so much of Williams that I found it distracting.  Director Rodrigo Garcia should have altered Albert’s appearance so as not to shadow the well-known Williams.

But that is about the only black mark on Garcia who directed a delightfully intriguing movie that will become a classic.  This is movie-making at its best.

The script was stupendous:  “…he’s such a kind little man….”  “…you are the strangest man I ever met…”  “…are you asking to walk out with me…” and “…you don’t have to be anyone but who you are…”  I’m writing this piece the morning after seeing this movie at a screening the night before at  the Studio Movie Grill at Town and County and I realize that I just witnessed greatness.  This is not a movie for the mall, but it is a movie for the ages.

Treat yourself and go see Glenn Close who tells Hubert that “…my name is Albert…but what is  your real name?...Albert.”  I suppose a woman named Glenn should know something about a woman named Albert.  Rock ‘n Roll.