Mr. Turner

Mr. Turner (2014) is perhaps the most visually stunning Mike Leigh film to date and succeeds under Timothy Spall’s commanding performance as the laconic English artist, J.M.W. Turner. One might suggest that the artist is a stand in for the director. This is the second Leigh film that is concerned with the creation of art, much like his earlier impressive period piece, Topsy Turvy. There are several artist story tropes that are examined in the film: the misunderstood artist, artist vs critic, art vs commerce. I found it amusing that one critic took umbrage from Leigh's portrayal of the critic John Ruskin as a simpering effeminate ninny. There are some scenes of extreme beauty about the artist who is compelled to create and not just for fame or reward, but for the sake of creating something beautiful.