Lee: Film Review
Kate Winslet has never turned in a bad performance so it’s no surprise that she knocks it out of the park once again in the biographical drama Lee.
She plays Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller, an American former model living in London with her partner, painter Roland Penrose (Alexander Skarsgard). When World War II breaks out, Miller heads to Europe and becomes a war correspondent for British Vogue, capturing events such as the liberation of Paris and the horror of the concentration camps.
Lee is a relatively conventional biopic that doesn’t show us much we haven’t already seen before regarding World War II. Despite this, the scene in the camps really hit me hard and made me cry. Also, the story is still refreshing as it’s told from the perspective of a female photojournalist, of which there were very few at the time. It shines a light on Miller’s bravery, as she puts her life on the line to show people the reality of war and takes some truly upsetting and harrowing photos.
The biggest problem for me was the framing device. There is a portion of the film set in 1977 with Josh O’Connor interviewing Miller like he’s a journalist. This is an overdone technique and I didn’t think it was necessary. However, you realise the point of this timeline at the end when there’s a baffling revelation. Director Ellen Kuras was clearly aiming for an emotional gut punch to conclude her story but I felt shafted and manipulated by it. The film is a waste of O’Connor. As much as I love him, his character is not needed and he shouldn’t have been in it.
Winslet isn’t just an actress with Lee – it is her passion project and she spent years developing it and getting it made. She puts her all into her performance and is fantastic (I wouldn’t expect anything less). I wish the film examined Miller’s PTSD further and the way she turned to alcohol and pills to get her through the day.
The biggest revelation is actually Andy Samberg as Miller’s friend and fellow photojournalist David Scherman, from Life magazine. I would never expect this funny goofball to be in such a serious project but he is brilliant in this dramatic role. Seeing a comic actor delivering straight drama actually made it more effective. I’d like to see him do more of this.
Lee shines the spotlight on a remarkable trailblazing woman who risked her life to show the world what the war really looked like. It’s a shame about that awful framing device!
In cinemas from Friday 13th September and on Sky Cinema from Friday 1st November
I caught up on some of your reviews, from Lee—which I agree, Kate Winslet always delivers her best—to Strange Darling, Speak No Evil, The Outrun, and a couple of others. As usual, they were all great reads, and I appreciate how easy and relaxing your writing is to enjoy.
Thank you so much!