On The Monuments Men

As a feature director George Clooney has sought to bring forgotten or past film genres back to life. Despite the contemporary use of camera, his films feel rooted to another time. This is very different to his choices as an actor, but then writing and direction is a more personal craft.

Clooney’s first feature as director, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) recalls the spy thriller, a rarely seen genre (Bourne and Bond are all action), while The Ides of March (2011) harks back to the politically driven cinema of 1970s America. Goodnight, and Goodluck (2005) (his most accomplished film as director to date) and Leatherheads (2008) are both films set in the past. The former, a beautifully shot, politically driven film about the dying professionalism of journalism and the latter a sports comedy full of quick banter and slapstick, reminiscent of the 30s and 40s films that employed such a style: His Girl Friday (1940), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936).

It is therefore no surprise that The Monuments Men (based on a true WWII story) looks back to an earlier style of film. The ensemble, specific skill set cast recalls the Ocean’s Trilogy, but even those films, with the quick banter could be argued have the same commonalities. The films we are looking at here are include those such as The Dirty Dozen (1967) and The Bridge Over the River Kwai (1957); enjoyable, band of brother type films with a conscience. There is undeniable pleasure in watching The Monuments Men. The cast, most of who have worked together before is enjoying themselves, and this radiates off the screen. Yet, the film doesn't reach the emotional depths it should, mostly because structurally it bounces around too much. Although when it does (Bill Murray’s carol singing grandchildren, John Goodman desperately trying to save his shot friend) Clooney displays a power and sensitivity as a director that will remain long after the film ends.

As an actor, Clooney ranges across the genres. As a director, he does the same but always with an eye to the past and while The Monuments Men may not be his most memorable film, it slots nicely into the body of work he is putting together.