This weekend's lone new release hits town with three Oscar nominations under its belt as Glenn Close stars as the title character in Albert Nobbs (Roadside Attractions).

Albert Nobbs (Regal Arbor, Cinemark Hill Country Galleria)
Director Rodrigo Garcia (Mother and Child) delivers a stunningly detailed drama based on a short story by Irish writer George Moore that was first published back in 1918. Close earned a Best Actress nomination this week for her understated performance as a woman who has long disguised herself as a man in order to earn a living in 19th century Ireland.

While working in a hotel as a butler, she dreams of the day when she can quit her job and open up her own tobacco shop using the money she's been stashing away under the floorboards of her room. Shortly after we're introduced to the working environment of the hotel, things are shaken up by the arrival of a handsome young man named Joe (played by Kick-Ass star Aaron Johnson) who also joins the staff. Both Joe and Albert are smitten with their co-worker Helen (Mia Wasikowska), a headstrong girl who struggles to make decisions about her life, but is at least certain of what she does not want. Albert is further surprised when she discovers another woman who in the area who is authentically passing herself off as a man, a house painter named Hubert (Oscar nominee Janet McTeer).

The film itself is almost maddeningly slow-paced, but it remains a pleasure to watch thanks to the fine performances. McTeer (who is nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category) damn near steals the entire movie away from Close, who also played the role of Nobbs in a 1982 stage play adaptation of the short story. Fans of Masterpiece Theater will probably not mind the pacing, but other viewers may find themselves wishing they had a fast-forward button.

In addition to the fine acting, the cinematography, costuming and art direction are gorgeous and make the film well worth seeing on the big screen, especially if you're already inclined to enjoy a deliberate and mild-mannered period piece.

Let Albert Nobbs be a reminder of why you should attend the Austin Film Festival each year. While this film just opened across the country this weekend, it debuted locally during the fest last October (along with other Oscar nominees like The Artist and The Descendants.)

Also this weekend:
- Drafthouse Films did indeed procure an Oscar nomination this week for the Belgian import Bullhead. It's not going to open officially until later this Spring, but the Alamo South Lamar has another screening of the acclaimed drama tonight at 7pm.

- The Late Show presents David Lynch's brilliant Wild At Heart in 35mm at the Alamo Ritz on Friday and Saturday night. You'll never look at The Wizard Of Oz the same after seeing this uniquely Lynchian homage.

- SXSW 2011 alum Dragonslayer, the Grand Jury Prize winner for Best Documentary last year at the fest, screens at the Alamo Ritz on Sunday at 7pm.

Filed in Arts & Entertainment and tagged AcademyAwards2012, AlamoDrafthouseCinema, AustinFilmFestival, IndiePicks, RegalArbor, VioletCrownCinema

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