Albert Nobbs

Opens Friday at International Village

Yes, it’s a woman. Can we just state the obvious and get it out of the way? At the screening I attended, every five minutes someone would announce in a loud stage whisper: “I think that’s a woman” or “No way that’s a man.”

It’s not, folks. It’s actress Glenn Close, who co-wrote and co-produced the film after starring in a 1982 stage version, and rallied for decades to get the film made. She’s been rewarded with an Academy Award nomination for her performance as Albert Nobbs, a woman who has spent some 40 years living as a man in Victorian Ireland.

Such things happened more often out of economic self-preservation as they did by choice: girls and women who were orphaned in harsh circumstances, or cast aside by abusive husbands, had few options for survival. It takes some time before we learn Albert’s story and what led him (“him” for simplicity’s sake) to a lifetime of deception and self-imposed isolation, but by then it hardly matters: we’ve accepted his predicament and are keen for him to find a solution.

“Life without decency is unbearable,” he says, hinting at his past and announcing his present stoicism. Albert is a waiter, the most upright employee at an upscale hotel run by Mrs. Baker (Pauline Collins). An eclectic stew of guests passes through the hotel, among them a pair of randy lords and a tender-hearted doctor (Brendan Gleeson). The film takes on an Upstairs, Downstairs feel as we poke about everyone’s business.

As for Albert, his one pleasure in life is counting up his day’s wages. He has a fortune socked away under the floorboards, almost 600 pounds worth. The parallel mystery of just where this sum will take him is soon discovered: Albert longs for the day when he can be his own boss and open a tobacconist’s shop.

But then a stranger comes to the hotel, and Albert’s secret is discovered. Hubert (an excellent Janet McTeer, also nominated for an Oscar) could expose Albert, but instead opens up a whole world of possibilities to him. Hubert is also a woman; “he” managed to marry, set up house in a seaside town and continue “his” work.

Albert starts dreaming of a companion of his own, and sets his sights on Helen (Mia Wasikowska) a maid at the hotel who’s already had a tumble or two with Joe (Aaron Johnson). Joe is a ne’er-do-well who talks about taking her to America, but can’t put the bottle down long enough to carve out a proper plan.

Disaster looms around every corner: the threat of exposure, the possibility of rejection and ridicule, or the theft of Albert’s life savings. The chances of a happy ending gets slimmer and slimmer, but the film keeps us guessing as to what will be Albert’s downfall.

Hubert emerges as the most engaging character in the film, because as Albert is emotionally stunted, so too is the film, to some extent. Albert doesn’t seem to really care for Helen, he just likes the idea of a companion. The audience reasons that even a simple man would think twice about pursuing a woman involved with someone else, or consider the possibility of his business failing. Albert’s outlook is pitiably narrow, which is a problem for the character and the film. The most touching scene comes as Albert and Hubert venture out in women’s clothing and walk, awkwardly, trying to find a feminine gait and rhythm. After a moment’s exhilaration, Albert knows it’s too late to go back.

jcrawfordfilm@gmail.com