Venus

Venus is the sort of rough around the edges, low key delight that makes independent filmmaking so interesting. The May-December romance is not the most original of concepts, but it’s never been done to this extent and with such an absence of idealism. Peter O’ Toole is amazingly good as a washed up actor named Maurice who lusts naughtily after the niece (Jodie Whittaker) of his close friend, Ian (Leslie Phillips). He likens her to the goddess Venus for inspiring love and passion in his tired old heart, and though she’s not nearly as fond of their situation as he is, she concedes to somewhat of a relationship due to his gentleness and occasional financial generosity. She’s been made bitter by a family and former lover who both used her up and cast her out and takes nicely to the idea of opening herself up to a harmless old man. The two form a tender bond between them, but their relationship is never really clear cut or easy. Much of the film’s charm is in the way it depicts this connection in all of its odd nuance and complication. They are sometimes charming together and at other times make for hideously ugly enemies. She is usually glad to be treated so nicely by Maurice, but she often strikes out against the unconventional circumstances in which she’s found herself.

The movie itself has a wonderfully messy, earnest style of photography and a refreshing comedic undercurrent. The characters are lovable but for the most part they are also utter dolts. Maurice and Ian bicker hysterically from time to time in a friendship based on self pity and disdain for the modern world. They’re both vestiges of another era, coping with life in a world that keeps moving and bodies that keep deteriorating each day. Maurice has been made frail and vulnerable by age and finds himself in a similar predicament as his beloved Venus, who has been made vulnerable by cruelty. She provides him with a taste of her youth in exchange for the warmth of his kindness. The film is as complicated and funny as their fragile relationship, making for something rich with life and just plain wonderful.

Grade: A