It’s not easy working at Morrison’s Hotel where the money-grubbing Mrs. Baker (Pauline Collins) keeps a watchful eye on the guests and her overworked employees.
Glenn Close Excels in Her Portrayal of Albert Nobbs
Longtime employee Albert Nobbs (Glenn Close looking creepily androgynous) works tirelessly to please the guests and earn tips, which are stashed beneath the floorboards of Albert’s room. Living a lonely, loveless life as a man, Albert (who is secretly a woman) yearns for the day when she/he can take a wife and own a tobacco shop.
Her sexuality (or lack of it) isn’t the primary focus here – it’s the utter loneliness while living and working inside a bustling hotel. With no friends, no lovers, and no family, Albert toils away at the hotel with precise manners and attention to detail, yet remains a disguised stranger to co-workers, with whom she/he lives and works on a daily basis.
Hidden by Disguise
Trapped in the thankless job at the hotel and in the role of a man, Albert feels there’s no way out of this dilemma until meeting another woman (Janet McTeer) in similar circumstances. Albert then begins to put a plan into motion. The problem is that Albert has very little to offer Helen (Mia Wasikowska), the cute young woman he/she selected as a wife, other than some hard-earned cash.
This sad, though fascinating tale takes on tragic dimensions when Joe, an attractive young con man (Aaron Johnson), begins working in the hotel’s boiler room. His lustful nature, outgoing personality, and bulging biceps contrast sharply with Albert’s weak androgynous appearance and dry reserved demeanor. As they both vie for Helen’s fickle attention, Albert never really stands a chance. Despite their obvious differences that make Albert and Joe dynamic opposing forces, they share one important similarity: both hide behind false facades in order to disguise their true motives.
While Close and McTeer play their parts convincingly, neither actually looks convincing as a man. The novelty of two actresses appearing as men seems to be the main attraction in this film, as the characters and script – based on a short story by George Moore – leave many unanswered questions. In fact, the entire issue of sexuality (which should have been a central theme) gets swept under the rug like a clump of dust on the hotel’s floor.
Albert Nobbs
- A lonely woman, living as a man, dreams of taking a wife and opening a little tobacco shop in 19th century Ireland.
- Starring Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Janet McTeer, Aaron Johnson, Brendan Gleeson, Brenda Fricker, Pauline Collins, Jonathan Rhys Meyers
- Director: Rodrigo Garcia
- Writers: Glenn Close, John Banville, Gabriella Prekop (screenplay); George Moore (short story)
- Run Time: 113 minutes
- Rating: R (for some sexuality, brief nudity and language)
- 3/5 Good
- Additional Information: This film was nominated for three Golden Globes (Actress (Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Janet McTeer), and Song (Brian Byrne for “Lay Your Head Down”) and for three Academy Awards (Actress Glenn Close), Supporting Actress (Janet McTeer), and Make-Up (Matthew Mungle).
Click here to visit the official website for Albert Nobbs.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
