Lee
review by Bobby Blakey
There are so many stories of people that not only did amazing things in the world, but changed things that just don’t get enough of the recognition that they deserve. The latest, LEE takes on bringing the story of famed photographer Lee Miller and stars Kate Winslet, Josh O’Connor, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Samberg, Alexander Skarsgård, and Marion Cotillard with director Ellen Kuras at the helm. Does this film do justice to this strong woman’s legacy, or will it be out of focus?
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Lee follows a pivotal decade in the life of American war correspondent and photographer, Lee Miller. Miller’s singular talent and unbridled tenacity resulted in some of the 20th century's most indelible images of war, including an iconic photo of Miller herself, posing defiantly in Hitler's private bathtub.
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Miller had a profound understanding and empathy for women and the voiceless victims of war. Her images display both the fragility and ferocity of human experience. Above all, the film shows how Miller lived her life at full throttle in pursuit of truth, for which she paid a huge personal price, forcing her to confront a traumatic and deeply buried secret from her childhood.
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Their use of the interview narrative initially seemed like a pretty generic approach to tell this story, but as it plays out it ended up being a smart and important direction to her legacy and this story being told. I wasn’t sure they full impact and direction they were going to focus on here, but thankfully it weaves itself in and out of her personal and professional lives as they both affect who she becomes and the importance of her journey in journalism and woman’s rights.
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The story doesn’t come across as just another woman’s lib thing, but instead lets the facts of the history showcase her actions and how they were not just
trying to empower woman and their rights to be on the frontline or in the printed work, but to shine a light on the atrocities of the war itself. I love that it dives into the horrors of both sides of the war and the people both involved and suffering because of it.
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Kate Winslet is fantastic in the role bringing a powerful presence to the role that makes you believe she is willing and able to inject herself into these horrible situations and seemingly come out unscathed while also showcasing her insecurities and long-term effects of these visuals and situations. Not surprising she goes all in showing the vulnerability that is needed to believe in her struggles and determination to bring the truth to the world at any cost.
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The rest of the cast are good as well, but it was the casting of Andy Samberg that both surprised and delighted me. He is perfectly cast here and brings easily one of it not his best performance to date showing a serious side that you truly believe and feel his deep pain with the connections of what he witnesses. Their friendship shines through as the strength to the overall narrative even when they are not together and made all the better by their connection and brilliant performances.
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I had seen this trailer and thought I had a different vision of how they were going to tell this story and glad it was so different. This is a powerful story worthy of the woman it embodies and her powerful impact on the world through her visions in photography. These photos tell a story all their own and show her power in vision and will never not bring the impact even if you don’t know the story behind them.
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Decide for yourself and check out Lee in theaters now from Roadside Attractions and Vertical.