Mr. Turner

Mr. Turner opens with a shadowy figure standing in a field, with a beautiful delicacy that is consistent throughout the story.

Masterfully portrayed by Timothy Spall, the story follows the journey of the talented J. M. W. Turner, a highly respected painter with an appetite for adventure. With the loss of his highly respected father (Paul Jesson), Mr. Turner is tested with a series of tribulations in this biographic.

As lengthly as the film may be, never once did it feel tedious, with stellar performances from the entire cast. It was truly delightful to watch, especially Timothy Spall, who gave a phenomenal performance as Mr. Turner.

During the film, some of the more sexual scenes involving his housekeeper (who possesses an unrequited love for Mr. Turner) I found incredibly raw and somewhat saddening, but it flawlessly demonstrated the life of this lonely man.

And of course, no biographic would be complete without a little romance. During his explorations, Mr. Turner meets, and slowly falls in love with a woman (Marion Bailey), who resides in Chelsea. Despite living under a false name, there is a gratifying freshness to the relationship, as they both find companionship in their seasoned souls.

Throughout the film, despite Mr. Turner’s hardships, he always stayed faithful to his one true love – painting. As a testament to his spirit, despite being offered supreme wealth, and going to extreme lengths to seek inspiration, I found it bold and refreshing to witness the later life of such a passionate man.

Ever so often there are these rare occasions where you are moved by a true masterpiece, whether that be a magnificent sunset, a stunning picture, or a performance that speaks louder than words. Mr. Turner is one of those moments. Highly recommended.

Mr Turner will be In cinemas from Friday December 26th

Written by Sam Giles