Lee

September 29th, 2024

MOVIE: LEE

STARRING: KATE WINSLET, ANDY SAMBERG, ALEXANDER SKARSGARD, ANDREA RISEBOROUGH

DIRECTED BY: ELLEN KURAS

AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)

RATED: R

RUN TIME: 116 MINUTES

Regarding 2024 films about photojournalists, I would give a higher nod to Alex Garland’s Civil War for its portrayal of the insane pressure and out-of-body experiences that come with capturing images of our cold reality. However, Ellen Kuras’ biopic- Lee about Lee Miller, the fashion model turned acclaimed WWII correspondent for Vogue, focuses not on the immediate trauma but on the long-lasting effects of commitment to one’s craft. Kate Winslet delivers a business-like performance that encapsulates the struggles Miller faced, highlighting how her photographs revealed the horrors of the Holocaust.

Unlike typical biopics, this film is more of a snapshot, bookended by Miller’s beginnings and her later years. The screenplay, penned by Liz Hannah, Marion Hume, and John Collee, prioritizes the human experience over mere bullet points. The story opens with Lee being interviewed in 1970 by a young journalist (Josh O’Connor), allowing her to reminisce about her relationship with Roland Penrose (Alexander Skarsgård), her decision to become a war correspondent for British Vogue, her friendship with David Scherman (Andy Samberg) in Berlin, and the challenges of navigating the sexism of her time, all while witnessing the horrific images she would capture. The film’s methodical pace transitions Lee from a free and independent spirit to someone grappling with despair in bleak circumstances.

Similar to Civil War, we witness Miller snap photos that can feel immoral and disrespectful. A particularly powerful scene shows Miller and Scherman walking alongside a train from Auschwitz, with bodies pouring out. Lee covers her mouth against the stench, steps into a train car, and takes the shot. It’s her job, and she excelled at it; without her, the world might not have witnessed the full extent of those atrocities. Winslet’s performance transforms Lee from standard to spectacular; without her, the film would struggle, as the other characters are less compelling.

Director Ellen Kuras succeeds in recreating the visceral moments Miller experienced—bombs landing alarmingly close, images of malnourished bodies, and the iconic recreation of Miller’s photo in Hitler’s bathtub, a singular moment of rebellion that pushes the boundaries of photography. For all these reasons, Lee is a successful film. It not only informs us about Lee Miller’s life but also celebrates a woman who broke through barriers in a chaotic world. We need more people like Lee Miller.

3 STARS

LEE IS NOW PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS AND WILL EXPAND WORLDWIDE ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 4TH, 2024.

Written by: Leo Brady
leo@amovieguy.com