Review 727: Lee

 

Lee tells the true story of Lee Miller (Kate Winslet), an American photographer. Determined to document the truth of the Nazi regime and in spite of the odds stacked against female correspondents, Lee captures some of the most important images of WWII, but they come at an enormous price.

Bookended by an interview in 1977 with Antony Penrose (Josh O'Connor)

Lee Miller had been a model, a muse and an ingenue. She was ambitious and good at shooting. Even when she wanted to look away, she didn't. So many shots of Lee are with tears in her eyes as she witnesses the horror of the war and its impact on people.  So much of what was happening during WWII was covered up and Lee wanted to communicate what was happening: the truth of the Nazi regime. The Red take she had to get through just to get permission to be able to go was unbelievable.

Lee was directed by Ellen Kuras who shot Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (which also stars Kate Winslet), her direction isn't particularly flashy or extravegant, but she shows a good command scenic blocking and letting the images do the talking. Assembling scenes with simple camera movements and angels and lending the film a great sense of pacing. The score by Alexandre Desplat is beautiful 

Marion Cotilard   playing French Vogue editor Solange d'Ayen

A heavily made up Andrea Riseborough  Ultimately, Audrey would rather bury the truth and "move on" than face the horrors of war.

Alexander Skarsgård     Skarsgård and Winslet's chemistry is the key to the film  Roland loved Lee, he knew how important photography was to her and how important it was for her to go into a warzone and document  and give a voice to the voiceless. At the same time, he shows concern for her and her safety and what it'll do psychologically 

Andy Samberg from TV's Brooklyn Nine-Nine in a role that casts him against type   playing David Scherman