Review: Woman in Gold (2015)

[SPOILER ALERT WARNING]

It is a well-known fact that more than 6 million Jews died in World War Two - the majority of all those the Nazis killed through the entirety of that period. Popularly known as well is that much art - including wealthy Jewish art - was stolen from homes and placed in the homes of wealthy Nazis. Since the war, and perhaps more in the last few decades, there has been an important task of art restitution, whereby art is reclaimed by their rightful owners (or their ancestors).

Woman in Gold film is based on the true tale of Maria Altmann (played by Helen Mirren) and her court battle for the Klimt portrait of her aunt. It effectively explores not only the past hurts and pains of Nazism and the war, but the present challenges that exist in art restitution. The film even touches on family ties to artwork and the necessity of reuniting family members with the things that are rightfully their's.

Whilst the film mainly focuses on Maria, it becomes much less individualistic and more universal when Randy Schoenberg (played by Ryan Reynolds), ancestor of the famous composer and lawyer, comes to terms with his own Jewish heritage. It is an emotional scene and captures the guilt he feels when his purpose was not for Maria or for his own Jewish relatives, but for the money. He then identifies with a greater sense of purpose, working harder than ever before, despite opposition - even from Maria herself.

From a Christian perspective

I can hardly deny the emotion of this film. It certainly brings you to tears at many points. What it truly captures in these moments is the great sense of justice that we all have, especially as we see Maria's past, where Jews are being mistreated and are helpless in many situations.

I have recently read Proverbs 31 and highlighted what I think is a very important verse - especially in a sinful, unjust world such as ours. In verse 8 and 9 it says this "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy". I think Randy tries to meet this need - and becomes more selfless in the process. Maria, realising she could have done very little to right the injustices in her past, tries to do so in the present by reclaiming her own artwork.

From a Christian perspective, if the reason they are fighting for such a piece is for the justice of every Jew who was mistreated, I believe this can be corrected. But other thoughts did come into my mind - was it fair for the Belvedere to lose one of their most precious artworks simply because of how it came to be there? In my mind, I do wonder if a compromise could have been made, if Maria could have left the portrait in Austria, where she was created. I have not come to a strong conclusion about this.

After they have won the court proceedings and the Austrian government representative wants a compromise, Maria says, essentially, that they have fought a long and hard battle, trying to come up with solutions that have been shot down by the government. She wants to leave her aunt in Austria, but she must instead bring her back to America, where Maria has formed a welcoming home. Austria, was not a home, not only because of her past, but also the stubborn treatment of the Belvedere officials and Austrian government. I suppose from a Christian perspective her sense of social justice for her people and her family is important, especially in a world which is unjust and unfair.

But the world is still imperfect, which is why, we as Christians, look to a greater home in Heaven. And when we die, all our possessions, whether or not they are of strong emotional or relational concern, will be left behind - which is why Maria is left to fight for it on her own. And eventually, in 2011, she died at age 94, leaving Woman in Gold behind.

That famous verse in Matthew 5:19-21 says this "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". I think it is important for Christians to know this: Art restitution asks for possessions that we cannot keep when we die. And yet, the greatest restitution occurred when our souls were finally free through the blood of Jesus Christ on that cross. We are then able to be in a greater place (Heaven) where none of our earthly possessions will be.

The movie seeks justice for past wrongs, which is awesome. But it also stakes a claim on things we cannot keep - and if that is what we desire (like the money that meant a lot to Randy), then we must ask this question of ourselves - is my treasure on Heaven or on Earth?

In Conclusion

The movie could easily become quite materialistic - and at many points it seems to. Maria seems to find her greatest value in the portrait of her aunt. She has a tendency to focus on the past, and perhaps even to idolise her family and family ties. As our home is not on earth, I think this portrayal of art restitution could be dangerous, especially for the Christian. It could easily place our minds on the things of this world rather than the things of God.

However, there is an aspect of justice which I really appreciate about this film and cannot deny. God calls us to look after the needy. During the period of the Holocaust, this was extremely hard for people to do, and there is a sense that Maria wished to bring justice for Jews everywhere. I love the film's depiction of this, and even Randy's "enlightenment" which causes him to not fight for the money, but because of the past.

I think is an excellent film and worth watching. Watch it on Netflix