Anssi Vartiainen Glenn Close plays the titular character Albert Nobbs in this 19th century period drama. Times are tough and women are not encouraged to seek out their own fortunes. Which is why Mr. Nobbs is hiding her true gender in order to be able to work. But things are knocked out of balance when he meets Mr. Paige (Janet McTeer), who's hiding a secret of his own.Albert Nobbs isn't overly complicated in story. Or in ambition, for that matter. Certainly the premise itself can be somewhat controversial, but in modern world it's pretty much accepted that women should have the same opportunities as men. Naturally it wasn't always so, and this film rather nicely explores the lengths some women had to go to in order to earn a living.This central theme is the one thing the film has to give, the rest being mere window dressing. Not to say those things don't have merits of their own, but the film wouldn't stand out on them alone. For example, Nobbs eventually has a love interest, Helen (Mia Wasikoswska), who has a love interest of her own, Joe (Aaron Johnson). The problem with those two is that they're very stereotypical young people in love. It would have been more interesting if Helen, for example, was torn between Albert and Joe.Still, this film has a lot to offer. Could it have been better? Certainly, but it's far from bad as it is.

namashi_1 'Albert Nobbs' offers Awesome Performances, which in turn, turns out to be its biggest merit. Here's an ensemble cast who deliver the best! 'Albert Nobbs' Synopsis: Albert Nobbs struggles to survive in late 19th century Ireland, where women aren't encouraged to be independent. Posing as a man, so she can work as a butler in Dublin's most posh hotel, Albert meets a handsome painter and looks to escape the lie she has been living.As a film, 'Albert Nobbs' is depressing & long. The story is saddening & what its characters go through, is unsettling. Even the excessive running-time of over 113-minutes, seems stretched. Glenn Close, John Banville & Gabriella Prekop's Screenplay is tragic, but it has some moments of power. Rodrigo García's Direction is decent. Cinematography, Editing & Art Design, are super.Performance-Wise: Glenn Close is outstanding as Albert Nobbs. The legendary actress sinks her teeth into the part & brings it out with flying colors. Janet McTeer is incredible in a strong supporting role. Also, The on-screen chemistry between Close & McTeer, is amazing. Mia Wasikowska is splendid. Aaron Johnson is efficient. Brendan Gleeson is a delight to watch.On the whole, 'Albert Nobbs' deserves a watch for its performances!

bregund I remember reading somewhere that Glenn Close has been playing this character on stage for thirty years, and it certainly shows in her performance. Close vanishes so completely into her character that in some scenes, you forget that it's her. It's easy to watch this film simply for the novelty of wondering how a woman could successfully pass herself off as a man, but after the novelty wears off you're exposed to the grayish layers of her marginalized existence, constant fear of being discovered, and what must be unbearable loneliness, all characteristics which Close portrays through her simple facial expressions and even her bodily movements, as she walks around the hotel performing mundane servant's tasks. It's difficult not to feel some sympathy for her simple desire to operate a small tobacco shop and get married to a woman, an idea planted in her head by a towering painter who shares her secret. But her simple desire for domestic bliss is doomed not by her secret, but because she is incapable of demonstrating affection; for Mr. Nobbs, marriage is a philosophical construct, not a conjoining of souls. The end of this film is unbearably sad, made doubly so by a financial injustice that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Despite Close's brilliant performance, the film feels flat; perhaps it's best viewed as a character study, since it seems bereft of story.

RyanCShowers Disappointing film and performances. It's an all around mess. Glenn Close, whom I expected to be in top form, let me down. She services the role and is successful to very short extents. She rocks the mannerisms and the voice, but I never really felt apart of Albert's journey. Close distanced herself from the story (maybe the problem is the writing isn't handled with the intelligence it needed to be). The main problem is the screenplay; the script is way too thin to be dealing with the thickness of the subject matter it tries to tackle. The directing is dreadful. The direction makes the film jaded like a broken piece of glass. Near the middle there's a cruel plot that is set up that draws you into the story slightly, but barely keeps you interested. It's just a really bad attempt at making a thought-provoking film.Rating: 3/10Grade: D+