DVD Review by David Blackwell

DETAILS: 95 minutes, feature audio commentary, deleted scenes, featurette

VIDEO: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)

AUDIO: English 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English (even the audio commentary has a subtitle option)

STUDIO: Miramax/ Film Four/ UK Film Council/ Free Range

RELEASE DATE: 5-22-2007

Peter O'Toole looks frail and yet lively as Maurice, a dirty old veteran actor. He takes a liking and tries to seduce Jessie (Jodie Whittaker), his friend's grandneice. Jessie plays along even as they both use each other. She has unrealistic expectations and makes bad choices. Maurice knows all about bad choices as he cheated on his ex-wife (Vanessa Redgrave) decades ago when they were married. He sees pleasure as the only true thing. Jessie and Maurice learn hard lessons from each other while trying not to be lonely. Maurice also has prostarte problems. He insists on checking out of the hospital quickly after he has the operation and go back to work (so he can buy Jessie something).

VENUS is a funny film that looks at old age in a different way from the usual films. It is honest and real. At times, it is harsh. It has lessons to teach about life while entertaining with warmth and humor at other times. VENUS is worth all the nominations it got.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Four deleted scenes cut for pacing and not really missed. VENUS: A REAL WORK OF ART is a 13 1/2 minute promotional featurette that has interviews with cast and crew. I love the bit about Peter O'Toole's heated tent when they were doing scenes out in the cold.

The feature audio commentary is with the director (Roger Michell) and the producer (Kevin Loader). It is an informative (and a little dry) commentary about the production of VENUS.

FINAL ANALYSIS: VENUS shows that peter O'Toole can still act with grace in this poginant and funny film.