The Monuments Men

Over the years we have seen a great many war films, and no doubt we shall see many more in the future. However I'm fairly sure we haven't seen one like this before. The Monuments Men, based on a remarkably true story, depicts events that occurred toward the end of World War II, where a small group of aged US Army soldiers are tasked by President Roosevelt to track down the massive amounts of artwork and heritage pieces stolen by Hitler and the Nazis...and to take them back. The Monuments Men has come under some criticism from critics, or else received only middling praise, yet I rather enjoyed it. The cast are amazing (most of them not only by reputation but also by their actual performances too), the story is incredibly interesting, the cinematography is brilliant, it's funny and poignant, and it is a film that is markedly unabashed about what it is; an uncynical, unusual yet very enjoyable film that takes on World War II.

In essence the story is that of art expert George Clooney, who beseeches his superiors to let him gather together a small group of aging Allied artists and art experts, dubbed The Monuments Men, who then travel across Europe, stopping the Nazis from nicking art for Hitler to horde, and to penetrate his cavernous stores and return the stolen items to their owners. All whilst trying to save themselves and what they are trying to protect from the perils of war.

Unexpected stand out performances from the Monuments Men for me came in the form of screen veterans Bill Murray, who provides both a dryly humorous and emotive piece throughout, and John Goodman, whose larger than life character is pierced now and again with choice moments of incredibly touching drama that he pulls off very well. Of course, we cannot forget the leader of the Monuments Men, director, producer, co-writer and star George Clooney, and his second-in-command as it were, Matt Damon.

Clooney of course has worked with Damon before famously and to great effect, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that he's given his old friend a slightly weightier piece of the pie in this film. For whilst most of the Monuments Men are sent of in little groups throughout the story, which mostly works I feel but to varying degrees, Matt Damon's character is specifically singled out and given his own sub-plot to work through, as well as being part of the ensemble. This is a perfectly valid interpretation, but let us not forget that Damon is incredibly good at what he does, a fine fine actor who is more than capable of shining in every scene he is in, which I believe he does. Yes his isolation is noted, but this in no way is a negative thing. 

If anyone should be accused of narcissism, it's George Clooney himself, whose turn at the helm of this film was by no means a modest one. If there's anyone I feel we see slightly too much of it's him. Yet again I feel that everything Clooney does he does very well.

Another great addition to the cast is renowned British thespian Hugh Bonneville, who has achieved iconic global stardom thanks to his regular stint in Downton Abbey (which I still haven't seen an episode of!) yet I will always initially know him as Captain Avery featured in Doctor Who, and his relatively short but brilliantly memorable role in Notting Hill. I was glad to see that, with such an American-dominated cast and crew, Bonneville wasn't immediately cast as the arch-villain (in this case Hitler I suppose) but instead his character was charmingly flawed and very watchable. It's just a shame that he didn't get as much screen time as originally hoped.

During Matt Damon's aforementioned isolated sub-plot, he comes into contact with Cate Blanchett's character of an oppressed French woman trying to live and quietly rebel in occupied Paris. In a film that would undoubtedly be quite the sausage-fest without her, Blanchett brings a much needed sense of diversity, along with supreme talent, understated beauty and somehow a distinctly resolute flair to proceedings.

Romance and a developing relationship is hinted at between the two, and broadly speaking it is very well done. Yet at times one does start to get a sense of slight frustration, as one watches the dance between them go on for a tad too long, so the generally great dynamic between the two does tend to venture into the tepid.

  

Yes, The Monuments Men is slightly clichéd, the story could be tighter, and the characters could be fleshed out a tad better and more evenly. Yet it remains a film with great performances, great music, wonderful scenes and scenery, and a story which has never been told before, and one that is told in an innovative, approachable, watchable, unabashed and highly enjoyable fashion.