Mr Turner

The latest masterpiece from director Mike Leigh (Another Year) is a stunning, albeit warts-and-all, portrait of J.M.W. Turner, the eccentric English artist whose creative endeavours polarised public opinion throughout his tumultuous life (1775-1851). Leigh’s regular collaborator, Timothy Spall (Harry Potter) completely disappears into the central role. Stoic yet soulful, charitable yet cruel, brutish yet responsible for works of immense beauty, Spall captures Turner’s paradoxical nature in an understated performance that’s rich with emotional complexity but also droll humour. The meandering pace and sombre tone won’t appeal to everyone but Mr. Turner is a rewarding experience for patient viewers with Dick Pope’s cinematography a particular highlight — the meticulously crafted shots channelling the grandeur of Turner’s haunting landscape paintings are simply breathtaking. (JH) ****