Moviola > Films > Venus

Venus (15)   95 mins

Venus tells the story of Maurice and Ian (Peter O'Toole and Leslie Philips), a pair of veteran actors who never quite made the big time.  Now in their "golden years", they continue to work, though the jobs are far from glamorous.  But their comfortable routine and witty banter over breakfast in a favourite cafe are disrupted by the arrival of Ian's great-niece Jessie (Jodie Whittaker).  Jessie quickly tries her great-uncle's patience, but Maurice is absolutely taken with the young woman and proceeds to show her the cultural sights of London.  As Maurice tries to give Jessie the benefit of his experience, he is surprised to discover how very little he actually knows about himself now that his life is drawing to a close.  And Jessie, who had arrived with a huge chip on her shoulder, slowly learns from Maurice the value of respect for herself as well as others.  Venus also stars Vanessa Redgrave as Maurice's estranged wife.

"Though it looks to be about things fleeting and ephemeral, Venus touches, without forcing anything, on what matters most in life: love, friendship, connection. It's about aging and what keeps you alive, about the getting and passing on of the wisdom of a lifetime. And it is done with such surpassing skill on both sides of the camera that we can't help but marvel at it all."  Los Angeles Times

"Amiable, amusing and often affecting."  Peter Bradshaw

Last modified: 20-Jun-2008

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