MR. TURNER (2014) - ♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Mike Leigh

Written by - Mike Leigh

Starring - Timothy Spall

"MIKE LEIGH's take on one of the most celebrated artists of all time, MR. TURNER, is an intimate character portrait as sensible to the human side of its biographical approach as TURNER himself was sensible to his percetion of light. 

It is positively thrilling and downright innovative to see such a complete portrayal of such an important figure in cultural history. Instead of settling for a predictable continuous praise, the film focuses on his groundbreaking technique as much as it deals with his relationship with ones close to him and even his business dealings. 

TIMOTHY SPALL delivers a career defining performance as TURNER, in his portrayal of the man as grumpy, vulnerable, sensible and prone to moments of eccentricity. His grunts are among the most instantly memorable in cinema history. 

Equally as astounding is the cinematography by DICK POPE, which a times allows the film's visuals to be infused by an impressive watercolour texture but always testfully and with great balance, therefore never undermining the actual charge of the intimate scenes and never taking over from the powed of the screenplay, composed by MIKE LEIGH himself. 

Last but not least, the original soundtrack is composed by GARY YERSHON and it is a stunning piece of contemporary classical music, full of emotive charge and exciting experimentation that is quite reflective of the character of TURNER - the artist and the man."

Biopic, UK/France/Germany