Albert Nobbs

Overview

In 19th Century Ireland a woman was usually destined for the poor house unless she either married a man or tricked everyone into thinking she was one. Albert Nobbs is a witty period drama set in one of Dublin’s most luxurious hotels during this time of abject poverty, with the title character played by an exceptionally convincing Glenn Close.

Albert Nobbs has been working in disguise at the hotel since the age of 14, and besides some basic interaction with the other hotel staff at the breakfast table spends her time meticulously counting her wages and stashing them under her bedroom floorboards. But against a melancholy backdrop of typhoid fever, Nobbs’ plans for the future begin to change.

The character of Nobbs has been a three-decade labour of love for Close, who won an Obie for her performance in Simone Benmussa’s theatrical interpretation of the short story back in 1982. Besides the fact that Close is a fantastic actress in general and that it’s been far too long since she’s had her prowess tested in a major motion picture — The Stepford Wives hardly counts — this is probably why she’s so convincing in her portrayal of the quiet and endearingly quirky man.

The rest of the cast deserve full credit for their ability to avoid being left in the shadows of Close’s performance. Janet McTeer is almost laughably unconvincing as a man physically — one of the most memorable scenes is where she bares her impressive chest to Nobbs as evidence that she, too, has resorted to disguise in order to dodge the poorhouse — but she makes a heartrending impression as the hired painter Hubert Page. And proving yet again that she’s more than just a pretty face is Mia Wasikowska as young girl desperate to escape poverty-stricken Dublin.

The fantastic acting is primarily what holds this film together, however. The ending comes across as just a little strange and awkward, though undeniably high on emotional power. Will Albert Nobbs win an Oscar for Best Picture? Probably not, but a Best Actress nomination for Close would be entirely deserved.