ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

IT DOESN’T MATTER whether Peter O’Toole makes another ten films or if he never steps before the cameras again, ‘Venus’ will always be regarded as the great swansong of his cinema career.

It is forty-five years since his mesmerising performance as Lawrence of Arabia. Time, ill health and a fondness for the good life have ravaged his matinee idol looks but he still has the fire of a great actor faced with a magnificent role.

Written by Hanif Kureishi, Venus is a plaintive account of old age, dying embers and fading desires that is beautifully performed not just by O’Toole but also by a cast of seasoned stars and newcomer Jodie Whittaker.

Maurice Russell (O’Toole) is a distinguished British actor whose twilight years are spent in glorified cameos and lucrative television roles. He has the friendship of old thespian colleagues like Ian (Leslie Phillips) and Donald (Richard Griffiths), and a warm relationship with his ex-wife Valerie (Vanessa Redgrave).

Life is stable and a little dull until Ian’s grandniece Jessie (Jodie Whittaker) arrives in London. She is a sullen young woman who regards pot noodles as the height of modern cuisine. Maurice takes a shine to her and becomes something of a Henry Higgins to her Eliza Dolittle as he takes her to galleries and plays and tries to broaden her horizons.

His affection for her even begins to cross the line towards lust. Told with wit and compassion, ‘Venus’ almost feels like a British variation on ‘Death In Venice’, with Maurice experiencing one last pang of desire for a youth and beauty he will never experience again.

O’Toole plays him with the lightest of touches and captures all the weary humanity of a man quietly raging against the dying of the light. It is a tremendously touching performance from a true lion in winter.

Nationwide release

Director: Roger Michell
Stars: Peter O’Toole, Leslie Phillips, Jodie Whittaker, Richard Griffiths, Vanessa Redgrave
Screenwriters: Hanif Kureishi
Certificate: 15
Running time: 94 mins
Country: UK
Year: 2006

© Allan Hunter, 2007