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      Venus

      R Released Dec 21, 2006 1 hr. 35 min. Drama Romance List
      88% 153 Reviews Tomatometer 74% 10,000+ Ratings Audience Score Maurice (Peter O'Toole) and Ian (Leslie Phillips) are veteran British actors who share a friendship and comfortable routines into their 70s. The arrival of Ian's grand-niece, Jessie (Jodie Whittaker), shakes things up for the two old friends. Ian has no patience with the young woman, but Maurice finds her enchanting. He wants to show Jessie the sights and teach her about life, then realizes how little he actually knows. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Mar 05 Buy Now

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      Critics Consensus

      Audiences may attend to witness Peter O'Toole's Oscar-worthy performance, but they'll also be treated to a humane, tender exploration of maturing with both dignity and irreverence.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Films On Blast F bloody brilliant! loved it! definitely watch this film if you haven't, and rewatch it if it's been a long time. Off to theatre! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/23 Full Review Kyle M Despite some pacing and turns, there's nuanced unspoken depth to accept the character-driven connective direction appreciatively further, seemingly by possibility inspired by "Lost in Translation", with occasional humor and reflective drama as Peter O'Toole graces the story with a felt personally authentic approach as both his contemporary definitive staple and one of his finest hours. (B) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/09/23 Full Review Christina B The former bad boy and 'hellraiser' of 1960s British cinema leads a twilight-years British film about the loss of youth, ageing, and death. Peter O'Toole's predatory lead, Maurice Russell, wrangles with his mortality while lusting over Jodie Whittaker's Jessie, the teenage 'Venus'. Excellent lead performances bring out the unsettling and, more often, creepy ambiguity of their relationship. Is Maurice falling back into bad habits, lusting over age-inappropriate women? Or do deeper feelings for Jessie mask a needed confrontation with his own mortality? It's necessarily unnerving and unclear. The most frustrating aspect of the film is Venus' ending: death comes suddenly and yet quietly, with a warm embrace that fends off further loss and suffering. For a film overshadowed by the prospect of death, this is more of mawkish ending than truthful finale. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/06/23 Full Review isla s This undoubtedly makes for somewhat uncomfortable viewing at times, with the older men perving over the youngish Jodie Whittaker (think dirty old men). She (Jodie) certainly gives a pretty decent performance as Jessie though. As the plot develops, the film becomes more poignant (believe it or not). There's some good dialogue and its even somewhat thoughtful, which I wasn't reckoning it would be at first. Having said that, it's fairly quiet at some times and I felt that was good too, in those moments, as your left wondering what either person are thinking and feeling, what they'd say if they spoke up. I was intrigued by how the two main characters develop as they get to know each other a little more. I liked the scenes set in art galleries and seeing how Jessie responds to the mens behaviour and remarks. There are some funny moments and some cringe-y ones but its a pretty well made film overall. The background music/muzack is a little over the top perhaps in parts but it's a pretty decent film for the most part and yes, I'd recommend this film, certainly to fans of Jodie Whittaker and perhaps Pete O'Toole fans as well, although if your uncomfortable with the theme of older men (near retirement age) admiring young women, then this perhaps isn't for you but otherwise it's certainly worth seeing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member O'Toole is a dying actor that is supposed to show his grand-niece the ropes and help her get a job. But, he's really just a dirty old dying man. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review steve d The story was hit or miss for me, but Peter O'Toole's performance kept me hooked the entire time. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      Ty Burr Boston Globe Rated: 3/4 Nov 24, 2011 Full Review Roger Moore Orlando Sentinel O'Toole spent so many years being better than the little material that he was offered that it's heartening to see him sprint toward the finish of his career with such a flourish. If this is his curtain call, it's a glorious one. Rated: 5/5 Feb 9, 2007 Full Review Joshua Rothkopf Time Out If only [director] Michell's film actually said something about aging, and didn't feel the need to include Grumpy Old Men shtick and bland bossa nova-inflected pop. Rated: 2/6 Feb 3, 2007 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia It has some tragicomic moments that work with an endearing performance by O'Toole to dialogue about aging, passion and death, but the narrative is a bit soft. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 6/10 Jun 17, 2021 Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site Despite an elegantly rendered interpretation of the dilemma of these aging men, Venus proves to be unnecessarily light fare... Sep 2, 2020 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) A master class in acting from the great Peter O'Toole is the calling card of this poised and involving comedy-drama. Rated: 3.5/5 Jul 31, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Maurice (Peter O'Toole) and Ian (Leslie Phillips) are veteran British actors who share a friendship and comfortable routines into their 70s. The arrival of Ian's grand-niece, Jessie (Jodie Whittaker), shakes things up for the two old friends. Ian has no patience with the young woman, but Maurice finds her enchanting. He wants to show Jessie the sights and teach her about life, then realizes how little he actually knows.
      Director
      Roger Michell
      Executive Producer
      Tessa Ross, Scott Rudin, Miles Ketley, Charles Moore
      Screenwriter
      Hanif Kureishi
      Distributor
      Miramax Films
      Production Co
      Free Range Films, Miramax Films, FilmFour
      Rating
      R (Language|Brief Nudity|Some Sexual Content)
      Genre
      Drama, Romance
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Dec 21, 2006, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 14, 2016
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $3.3M
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