19th Century Ireland and women have little opportunity to demonstrate their independence. Glenn Close plays the titular Nobbs, a timid and seemingly rather lost person who has impersonated a man all her life. One day she meets a decorator who persuades her how she can improve her life.
I had grave reservations about what seemed like an ego trip come experiment for a top actress and one where obvious make up would be a distraction throughout. I was though pleasantly surprised. It's a slight tale full of drama, societal cruelty and snobbery that offers precious little that is new, albeit what there is, is skilfully conveyed and by a strong supporting cast. It is also really rather heart warming with a genuinely impressive performance by Close, and possibly even more so by McTeer.
I had grave reservations about what seemed like an ego trip come experiment for a top actress and one where obvious make up would be a distraction throughout. I was though pleasantly surprised. It's a slight tale full of drama, societal cruelty and snobbery that offers precious little that is new, albeit what there is, is skilfully conveyed and by a strong supporting cast. It is also really rather heart warming with a genuinely impressive performance by Close, and possibly even more so by McTeer.