The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 2/7/14

Reviewed 2/12/14 at Aspen Isis Theatre in Aspen, CO

with Gary and Leigh

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

The Monuments Men is based on a true story and while fascinating it does have some shortcomings, but it's still a worthy film. The action drama jumps around especially in the beginning, but once you settle in, it is an intriguing account that no one really has heard much about. Gary and I always appreciate the "true story" aspect and this is no different. Matt Damon (James Rorimer) and George Clooney (George Stout) are remarkable, as expected. But surprisingly the supporting cast with Bill Murray (Richard Campbell), Bob Balaban (Preston Savitz) and John Goodman (Walter Garfield) are the ones who really "make" the cast and leave you wishing for more.

Late in the second World War, George Stout (Clooney) pleads with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to allow a team to go into war-torn Europe. The objective is to rescue not only missing art but stolen masterpieces from Nazi thieves. Stout's group will not comprise of Army commandoes, but museum directors, curators, and art historians. Roosevelt reluctantly agrees, while half-wondering why anyone cares about art at a time like this. This is where the movie gets sharp criticism. I would disagree, if it would not have been for this band of misfit soldiers, countless Picassos, and even Michelangelo's Madonna could have been lost forever. I am not an expert art enthusiast, or pretend to be, but realizing the importance of this to culture is simple to me.

Amazing actress Cate Blanchett plays Rose Valland, a Belgian secretary working for a German SS officer who organizes most of the art thievery. Thank goodness for heroine Rose and her meticulous detailed accounts and records of all that went on in her office. As Stout's recovery team splits up into three different groups to gather intel, James Rorimer (Damon) has the task of meeting with Rose. There is an insignificant little spark between the two, but it's primarily one-sided. Ultimately the group circles back and meets up in different locations discovering and supervising the recovery of thousands of pieces of art. Many humorous exchanges between Murray and Balaban throughout will make you chuckle, but aside from that there isn't much to laugh about. The Monuments Men is not haunting like many World War II films that leave you sleepless, but there's still some stirring moments. I can't help but think that during the war not much attention was given to this, which is understandable. But decades later and for years to come, this will be appreciated more and more thanks to these good men. This is definitely a story worthy of being told.

QUIET Rating system: 3 ½ Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJj