Woman in Gold ----- film directed by Simon Curtis ----- based on the true story of Maria Altmann, an Austrian Jew who left her homeland behind when the Nazis invaded her country - moved to America and vowed to never return to Austria. In her later years, Maria discovers letters (after her sister has passed away) that the family had tried to recover artwork stolen by the Nazis and is now "owned" by the Austrian museum. One piece that has "treasured" meaning to Maria is the one done by Gustav Klimt of her beloved aunt Adele Bloch-Bauer "The Woman in Gold".
Klimt used gold leaf to paint this incredible portrait - if you look at the above photo and then at the painting you will be able to see the likeness.
Helen Mirren portrays Maria Altmann, Ryan Reynolds portrays Randy Schoenberg - Maria's American lawyer.
Maria and Randy take her fight, to recover the stolen "Woman in Gold", all the way to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled in the case "Republic of Austria v. Altmann" (2004) - by the way Maria and Randy won their case before the justices! And Justice proves that sometimes that BIGGER isn't always BETTER!
We started watching this film really late in the evening, however, it is so compelling and heartfelt that we couldn't stop until the end!
Well worth a couple of hours of your time, even just for the sake of history!
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