Venus

Venus casts the venerable Peter O’Toole as Maurice, an aging actor who strikes up an unexpected friendship with a sassy teenager named Jessie (Jodie Whittaker). Much of the film revolves around Maurice’s plotless exploits with Jessie, and there’s little doubt that the viewer’s interest is generally held by the palpable chemistry between O’Toole and Whittaker. The low-key vibe is certainly reflected in Roger Michell’s understated visual choices, while Hanif Kureishi’s script unflinchingly explores the harsh realities of Maurice’s increasingly frail state. There is consequently an authenticity to the movie that’s intensified by O’Toole’s expectedly masterful performance, with the actor seamlessly stepping into the shoes of an ailing yet strangely virile figure. Whittaker more than holds her own opposite O’Toole, offering up a surprisingly complex portrait of a character that, in lesser hands, could’ve easily come off as petulant and obnoxious. Ultimately, there’s little doubt that Venus‘ effectiveness is directly related to one’s ability to sympathize with Maurice’s plight – although, admittedly, O’Toole’s riveting performance does make it awfully difficult to not find something here worth embracing.

**1/2 out of ****