Mr. Turner (BD)

Mr. Turner explores the last quarter century of the great if eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851). Profoundly affected by the death of his father, loved by a housekeeper he takes for granted and occasionally exploits sexually, he forms a close relationship with a seaside landlady with whom he eventually lives incognito in Chelsea, where he dies. Throughout this, he travels, paints, stays with the country aristocracy, visits brothels, is a popular if anarchic member of the Royal Academy of Arts, has himself strapped to the mast of a ship so that he can paint a snowstorm, and is both celebrated and reviled by the public and by royalty.

Features:

• The latest film by master auteur Mike Leigh
• Nominated for 4 Oscars
• Nominated for 4 BAFTA awards

Critic Reviews:

• " Mike Leigh's biopic is so richly detailed that it feels like a documentary. Spall goes for broke in the outsize title role. " – Rafer Guzman

• " At 150 minutes, it's a little too long but there are stretches during its course when it captivates and amazes. " – James Berardinelli

• " It's an extraordinary film that brings to life an extraordinary artist, warts and all. " – Alexa Dalby