By Austin Yoder | Echo
The "Monuments Men" never lives up to its full potential, but still makes for a reasonably enjoyable and sometimes moving look at a little-known piece of history. The film unfortunately is bogged down by a convoluted script, awkward pacing and the fact that it's not quite as clever as it would like to think it is.
Written, directed, produced and starring George Clooney, this World War II heist film tells the story of a group tasked by the Allies to protect and recover art stolen by Nazis. The team members, dubbed the "Monuments Men," travel throughout Europe in search of famous pieces by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo. The team must race to reclaim the paintings and sculptures before Hitler has them destroyed.
George Clooney portrays Stokes, an art curator passionate about preserving art and culture. Joining him are Matt Damon as art restorer James Granger, Bill Murray as architect Richard Campbell, John Goodman as sculptor Walter Garfield and Cate Blanchett as former Nazi sympathizer and museum curator Claire Simone, just to name a few.
With an idea as original as this and one of the most impressive casts in recent memory, what's not to like about this film? The problem is that "The Monuments Men" never really figures out what it wants to be. Is it a war film? A heist film? A drama? A comedy? The result is an often awkward and confusing mix of all four, leaving the audience scratching their heads for much of the film.
When the titular "Monuments Men" break up into teams and scatter throughout Europe, I felt myself getting a headache as the film cut from scene to scene at a dazzling pace. Comedic scenes transition into serious scenes without warning, resulting in a confusion of emotions that prevent the film from establishing a single tone.
The film hits its stride when the group reunites to track down Michelangelo's sculpture "Madonna of Bruges," among other well-known works of art. The cast is underutilized at parts but turn in solid performances, particularly Clooney and Goodman. Clooney is the glue that keeps the film from falling apart, providing narration to drive the film's message (the importance of culture) home and shooting us a wink and a grin to remind us of his charm.
The acting is not this movie's only strength. The locations and sets are breathtaking and perfectly capture the feel and essence of World War II Europe. War-torn buildings and landscapes provide a convincing backdrop for this period piece. There are other high points as well, such as a poignant rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a humorous standoff between Murray, Bob Balaban and a young German soldier.
After the film finds its legs, the remainder proves to be a fun ride. To be fair, the jokes don't all land. The beginning of the film falls victim to the "we're getting too old for this" schtick, with gags such as climbing walls for basic training. Clooney needs to be reminded that witty dialogue isn't necessarily good dialogue.
Despite flaws, you won't regret sitting through until the end. A movie that feels part "Indiana Jones" and part "Ocean's Eleven," "The Monuments Men" builds to a sentimental but ultimately satisfying climax.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of aufeminin.com.
