The World Seen Through LEE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Ellen Kuras, Vertical and Roadside Attractions is a look at a lifetime in pictures through the eyes of LEE.

Antony (Josh O’Connor) sits down with famed Lee Miller (Kate Winslet) who spent her life from American modeling to photography. While on an outing with friends in England, she meets Roland Penrose (Alexander Skarsgard) and they find a life together in London. As World War II is all around them, Lee is looking for a job and reaches out to British Vogue’s editor Audrey Withers (Andrea Riseborough). Using her talent as a photographer, she becomes a correspondent to the publication.

She becomes friends with David Scherman (Andy Samberg) who is a Life magazine photographer. Her initial photographs are of women who are helping in the war effort but she wants to be on the front lines. The problem is women aren’t allowed but Lee is not about to back down from her goal. Being American, she imbeds with a troop and begins documenting everything she sees. It is harsh and the realities are caught on film. Being away from Roland is difficult, but she feels a responsibility to photograph and tell what is happening.

Lee, along with David, find themselves photographing France and later come upon a very long train. As the soldiers begin to open them one by one, Lee is struck by the horror of what they find inside and is even more determined to expose the camps of their Jewish victims. Capturing it, she is furious to discover that British Vogue has not acknowledged the realities of war and its impact on humanity as well as Lee herself.

It may have taken time, but the world would still see the world through her eyes!

Winslet as Lee is absolutely spectacular, stunning and beautiful all at the same time. Portraying Lee as a woman struggling to find her place, her photographs are a new life and a way to help earn. As the war becomes more intense, Lee wants to capture what is actually happening and not sugar coat it. The only way for that to happen is finding a way to the front of the war and Winslet’s performance of her reaction to everything her character experiences hurts the heart and squeezes the soul. A stellar piece of filmmaking with an actress who does it complete justice.

Riseborough as Withers is a woman trying to keep British Vogue up and running but also sees that what Lee brings to the table is equally important. Fighting to make sure her photographs and stories get into print; it is a struggle. I absolutely love Riseborough’s vast choice of characters she plays and, in this film, she once again has made a very good choice.

Samberg as David has the same reaction to what he sees as Lee does. This is a different role for the usual character actor and he gives this every bit of feeling and heartbreak. Samberg is impeccable and also understands what Lee is trying to do pushing him further as well. Skarsgard as Roland is captivated with Lee from the moment they meet, even though it was slightly heated. He does come to understand her and, in his own way, support her decision to follow the war.

Shout out to O’Connor as Antony for his portrayal and surprise at the end. Following O’Connor’s career over the years, he just gets more amazing with every film he does. Also, Cotillard as Solange d’Ayen, Lee’s friend who must go into hiding in Parish to survive.

Other cast include Patrick Mille as Jean D’Ayen, Vincent Colombe as Paul Eluard, Arinze Kene as Major Jonesy, Samuel Barnett as Cecil Beaton, Zita Hanrot as Ady Fidelin, James Murray as Colonel Spencer, Enrique Arce as Pablo Picasso, Riley Neldam as Kurt, Noemie Merlant as Nusch Eluard and Marion Cotillard as Solange d’Ayen.

Roadside Attractions has, since 2003, grossed over $300M and garnered nineteen Academy Award nominations. They have had critical and commercial hits such as MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, BEN IS BACK, BEATRIZ AT DINNER, HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS, WINTER’S BONE and THE COVER as well as so many others. For more information of what Roadside Attractions has to offer please visit www.roadsideattractions.com.

Vertical Entertainment is a global independent distributor that offers a unique wealth of experience minus the studio costs. They have won a Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Actress for Molly Shannon’s role in OTHER PEOPLE and the film won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film Limited Release, Best International Film for Babak Anvari’s UNDER THE SHADOW, a BAFTA and three Independent British Independent Film Awards as well. For more go to www.vert-ent.com.

LEE is a remarkable film written by Liz Hannah, Marion Hume, and John Collee. Winslet portrays Lee as a woman who struggles to find her place and once she realizes that photography is her career, she leans into it whole heartedly and with a grit that no one expected. It is a very emotional time in history and there is something in Lee that knows it must be documented, talked about and photographed.

Her life is filled with grit, and a mental toughness that would have been needed to see the things Lee did. It wasn’t so much about breaking the mold, it was her intensity in understanding the world around her that makes this film so intense. Those she surrounded herself with might not have understood her mindset, but they did not try to stop her from the drive that almost consumed her.

The cinematography is so compelling and captures the feeling in such a way that holding your breath is going to happen. Add to that performances that do Lee Miller’s life justice is everything. If you didn’t know her before, you certainly will remember her name now.

In the end – her camera captured the truth!