A Big Chuck Movie Review: “The Monuments Men” (video)

I liked this movie a lot.  It was right in my wheelhouse.

History, drama, comedy, World War II and a great cast.  Based on a superb book, "Monuments Men" tells the story of a group of volunteer art experts who went to Europe to hunt down millions of pieces of priceless art being looted by the Nazis.  It is a true story.

With a touch of light comedy dropped in here and there, this drama unfolds in the closing days of the war.   The successes of the Monuments Men are cheered throughout the film, but we also are saddened by the  violent deaths of two of them in the line of duty.  Glimpses of rare paintings, sculptures and artifacts found in hidden salt and copper mines bespeak the nobility of this rescue effort.

The cast is A-list all the way.  We know these actors, but it is a bit shocking to see how old they are getting.  George Clooney is handsome and dashing as ever in the lead, despite the salt and pepper hair and mustache.  Matt Damon is forever young.  John Goodman looks like an aging basset hound.  Hugh Bonneville, popular as Lord Grantham in "Downtown Abbey," surprisingly takes a lead role here.  A very old Bill Murray, however, is totally wasted here.

I took a 17-year old to this film with me.  We both loved it.  I give "Monuments Men" 3 out of 4 meatballs in my Big Chuck movie rating.