Friday, August 29, 2014

The Best Offer 2013


The Best Offer



     Virgil Oldman is an older, esteemed, eccentric and genius art expert.  He is known all over the world for his knowledge of antiques and his work with high value auctions.  He receives several calls from Claire Ibbetson, she would like to discuss a very large collection of art and antiques left to her by her parents.  Claire is an agoraphobic recluse and she has not stepped out of her villa since she was a teen.  She refuses to meet with Virgil in person but he comes to see her many times.  Virgil enlists the aide of Robert, he is a restorer of mechanical devices with a shop nearby.  Virgil asks him to help in assembling unusual mechanical parts from a much earlier period that Virgil found in the villa.  He also seeks Robert’s advice on how to help Claire and begin to meet with her in person.
     There is a lot going on in the background of this film.  Virgil has been known to cheat clients by stating something is not authentic when it really is.  He works with Billy, his sidekick, to con bidders during the auctions.  During the entire film, you have the feeling he is conning and cheating Claire.  She is afraid of everyone but she begins to trust him.  There are some surprises in this film that I didn’t see coming and there were warning signs but I didn’t begin to add them up until later.  3* (This movie is OK)

131 min, Drama directed by Giuseppe Tornatore with Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland, Philip Jackson, Dermot Crowley, Kiruna Stamell, Liya Kebede, Caterina Capodilista.

Note:  Imdb 7.9 out of 10, 56% critic 76% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 1 ½*.

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