Monday, June 9, 2014

The Monuments Men 2014


The Monuments Men


     This film is set during World War II and is based on the true story of a military group tasked by FDR with the rescue of art masterpieces from Nazi thieves.  All the found art was to be returned to its rightful owners.  There were seven museum directors, curators and art historians.  It was a race against time to prevent the destruction of 1000 years of culture.  The Reich was falling and the German army was under orders to destroy everything and leave nothing behind them.
     Clooney wrote the screenplay with his film making partner Grant Heslov.  Their theory must have been that you can succeed with any script if you include an appealing cast.  This was a difficult time to get people to care about art when many people had lost their lives and cities were now just rubble.  The theory of the value of art is set aside when a building could hold valuable art but it still must be bombed if the Germans are using it for a hiding place.  All the necessary plot elements are included, congratulations for ending tyranny, entertainment, a caper, romance and jokes about bureaucrats and regulations.  The next step is to add in a rousing and lyrical score to combat these negatives.   I found this to be dry.  3* (This movie is OK)

118 min, Bio directed by George Clooney with Matt Damon, Bill Murray, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, Bob balaban, Dimitri Leonidas, Justus von Dohnanyl, Holger Handtke, Michael Hofland, Zahary Baharov, Michael Brander, Sam Hazeldine.

Note:  Imdb 6.1 out of 10, 32% critic 46% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2 ½*.
Special Note:  Cate Blanchett has the best role but her part is small.  Matt Damon must remain true to his previous roles so you know what his decision will be in one scene.




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