Film Snail

6.5

Mr. Turner

R·2014·150m

History

Drama

History

Drama

Summary

Eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner lives his last 25 years with gusto and secretly becomes involved with a seaside landlady, while his faithful housekeeper bears an unrequited love for him.

Cast

Timothy Spall

JMW Turner

Dorothy Atkinson

Hannah Danby

Marion Bailey

Sophia Booth

Paul Jesson

William Turner Snr

Lesley Manville

Mary Somerville

Martin Savage

Benjamin Robert Haydon

Ruth Sheen

Sarah Danby

David Horovitch

Dr Price

Karl Johnson

Mr. Booth

Peter Wight

Joseph Gillot

Joshua McGuire

John Ruskin

Stuart McQuarrie

Ruskin's Father

Sylvestra Le Touzel

Ruskin's Mother

Leo Bill

JE Mayall

Kate O'Flynn

Prostitute

Sinead Matthews

Queen Victoria

Karina Fernandez

Miss Coggins

Richard Bremmer

George Jones

Mark Stanley

Clarkson Stanfield

Jamie Thomas King

David Roberts

Tom Wlaschiha

Prince Albert

Patrick Godfrey

Lord Egremont

Niall Buggy

John Carew

Fred Pearson

Sir William Beechey

Tom Edden

CR Leslie

Clive Francis

Sir Martin Archer Shee

Robert Portal

Sir Charles Eastlake

James Fleet

John Constable

Roger Ashton-Griffiths

Henry William Pickersgill

Simon Chandler

Sir Augustus Wall Callcott

Edward de Souza

Thomas Stothard

Oliver Maltman

Theatre Actor

Sam Kelly

Theatre Actor

Sandy Foster

Evelina

Amy Dawson

Georgiana

Alice Bailey Johnson

Young Lady Singer

Alice Orr-Ewing

Second Young Lady

Veronica Roberts

Lady Stuckley

Richard Dixon

Mr Manners

Michael Keane

Clergyman

James Norton

Clarinettist

David Ryall

Footman

Nicola Sloane

Brothel Keeper

Eleanor Yates

Ruskin's Wife

Fenella Woolgar

Lady Eastlake

Richard Cordery

Dinner Guest

James Dryden

Cornelius

Marcello Magni

Colourman

Mark Wingett

Mariner

Ruby Bentall

Unhappy Couple

Lee Ingleby

Unhappy Couple

Pearl Chanda

Theatre Actor

Ned Derrington

Theatre Actor

Phil Elstob

Theatre Actor

Peter Hannah

Theatre Actor

Francesca Zoutewelle

Theatre Actor

Billy Holland

Boy Actor

Michael Culkin

Gentleman Critic

Vincent Franklin

Gentleman Critic

Nicholas Woodeson

Gentleman Critic

Elizabeth Berrington

Lady Critics

Eileen Davies

Lady Critics

Bob Goody

Gallery Visitor

Terrence Hardiman

Gallery Visitor

Theresa Watson

Gallery Visitor

Judi Scott

Neighbour

Angela Curran

Neighbour

Amanda Lawrence

Hannah's Friend

Judith Amsenga

Dutch Lady

Helen Cooper

Dutch Lady

Stuart Matthews

Market Trader (uncredited)

Nicholas Jones

Sir John Soane

Robert J. Fraser

Art Student (uncredited)

David Thewlis

Joshua (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Writer

Mike Leigh

Reviews

narrator56

March 3, 2023

The story of this artist reminds me of a book I read many years ago, which described the lives of classical composers such as Mozart. It seems they were often like rock or film stars of more modern times. They lived life large and invited scandal. Mr. Turner describes a similar character. He lives how he wants and except for awkward moments with ex-lovers and his trail of children left behind, her gets away with it.

As one interviewer noted, Timothy Spall grunts his way through this film, though as usual, his performance is much more layered than that throwaway phrase describes. Lesley Manville is excellent, as always and Dorothy Atkinson is stunning in her complex yet minimalistic portayal. As with more Mike Leigh films, it features a wonderful ensemble cast. I think the finest British actors line up to play in his films the way it often happens when directors are on a role, such as Woody Allen in his prime years in this country.

The plot has depth, though some of the commentary about the artists of the time feels rather obscure to me now. I knew when I first watched it that I would need to see it again, and I am glad I did as it added to my comprehension and appreciation. However, unlike several of Mike Leigh’s masterpieces, I will not want to watch it again beyond that required second viewing. The artistry is there, but the drama and tension of my favorite Leigh films is more lacking. Still a worthy addition to his collection, though.