VENUS ***½

This picture provides a chance to see three great British actors (Peter O'Toole, Leslie Phillips, and Vanessa Redgrave) plus an excellent young, unknown actress, Jodie Whittaker, strut their stuff as only an extremely talented group of thespians can.

O'Toole and Phillips are aging actors (in the story as well as in real life) who spend their days drinking coffee with friends, trading prescriptions and working at the occasional acting job. Phillips is a hypochondriac just waiting to die while O'Toole is clearly fading but determined to experience all that life still has to offer while he can. Into this humdrum existence comes the grandniece of Phillips. She's been kicked out by her parents so Phillips decides she can help him around his apartment. They have a real personality conflict so she turns to O'Toole for solace, and money if she can get it. He's clearly attracted to her although he understands his physical condition won't allow anything other than the occasional touch. He does get her a job as a nude model, thus the film's title. Then events start to drift out of control.

I like British films and I really liked this one. In this day and age it's unusual to see this much talent on the screen. Each of the characters fade into their role so you're soon watching Maurice, Ian and Jessie and growing to care for them (well, maybe not so much for Ian). I don't imagine this will be around long and that's a shame for such a quality production. Be aware this has language many will consider quite offensive and there is some nudity. Highly recommended.