Mr. Turner

DH and I went to see it and I thought it was beautifully filmed, but I thought his relationship with some of the other characters was a bit hazy and could have been explored a bit more. Wonderful cast. Interested to see the likes of Lee Ingolby (George Gently and Chester Zoo) had a very brief non-speaking role in it. But yes, it was long. I was worried the loved one would be bored out of his britches, but he actually enjoyed it - said he likes films that don't make demands on him! At least he didn't go to sleep - he's done that before now.

I think there's a programme about Mike Leigh on the telly tonight.

BBC1; 22:35

I wonder why the criticism of there being no "plot" or storyline to Mr Turner. Have we become too accustomed to fictionalised history? Examples I am thinking of include films such as "Braveheart" which was utter tosh, "Enigma" which had America responsible for winning WWII, even "The Imitation Game " which contains factual inaccuracies presumably "for the sake of a good story". I also question the glamorisation of historical figures, I imagine because few film stars want to appear ugly or dowdy. Keira Knightley is much too glam for the character she played and her role is given much more importance than the real character. I think that was one of the reasons I did enjoy MrTurner. And I also learned more about Turner and his amazing bequest to the nation!

Re plotlines and biopics- a friend of mine went to see Lincoln and when he was shot, the two women behind her gasped in horror and said 'oh I didnt know that was going to happen'

I've just watched the Mike Leigh programme - very good. I remember very well watching the TV film "Grown Ups" in about 1972. It had me absolutely exploding with laughter. I wish they'd show it again.

I like Mike Leigh's films a lot but some of them are very depressing. My favourite is "Secrets and Lies" - very sad in parts but also funny. Brenda Blethyn was brilliant.

It's fine for a film not to have a storyline but it has to flow; there can't be times when you start to feel fidgety. Too many people have said they felt bored with it for it to be a good film, and not many films have people walk out part way through when they've paid to see it. I was surprised to hear Mike Leigh say that the film was made on a very tight budget; it certainly didn't look as though it had. I just wish that the Royal Academy Exhibition scenes were done to link the film in such a way that the passage of time was made clearer. I hadn't realised that the film spanned 25 years [or so I read somewhere]. Having watched parts of the film last night in the Mike Leigh programme I think I'd enjoy watching it at home on the sofa with a cup of tea but I just felt bored in the cinema.

By the way, who was the artist that Turner lent money to? Was he just in the film to show Turners generous side?

Benjamin Hayden (1786-1846) who committed suicide aged 60

Just got back from seeing Mr Turner, we were a bit concerned after reading some of the comments. But we watched the Mike Leigh interview and decided to go.

We thought it was very good. I loved the sets and period artefacts. It probably helps if you have an interest in history and art. We didn't notice the time. X

We went to see this last night and were riveted! Having read reviews on here I was apprehensive, as my OH isn't 'into' art as much as I am and I had visions of him huffing and puffing throughout, but he enjoyed it immensely, too. I had warned him how long it was and alerted him to some of the negative reviews!

When we came out we both said that we'd like to see it again, but I'd like to read a bit more about Turner first to put events and people in context, as I did find it a bit confusing at times.

I don't understand the comments regarding lack of plot! Am I missing something?

How many people's lives could actually be said to have a "plot". Surely many people's lives are a series of sometimes unplanned and random events.

In a fictional screenplay, the writer has control of the subject matter. He/she will tend to include elements that provide structure, pace and dramatic tension - a mystery to be solved, a problem to be resolved, a goal to be achieved, etc., etc. - often neatly tied up at the end.

Some biopic/"true story" screenwriters do play fast and loose with actual events and characters in order to make the film more appealing to filmgoers but they are then often criticised for misrepresenting what actually happened.

In two minds whether to go now, even though I admire Turner and know a bit about him!

I liked All is Lost though it was quite long. I thought Robert Redford acted superbly and although the procession of dire events that meant his situation got worse and worse was a little predictable, the way in which he dealt with each was interesting. (Maybe it helps if you're a practical person who likes finding solutions to practical/technical problems!). The ending was a little trite!

No one's mentioned Boyhood, Richard Linklater's film. I was very apprehensive as it is 3 hours long but I was riveted and went to see it again with a friend. So much depends on the director's skill.

I missed Boyhood.I think you need to see Mr Turner, because it's a film to see on the big screen.I asked the S.O. if he thought that our perception of the film was changed by the fact that someone kept shouting throughout the film, but he said he wouldn't have enjoyed it anyway.It's such a marmite film that, if you are someone that enjoys it, it would be a pity not to have seen it at a cinema.

I think if you admire Turner and know something about his life already, you would enjoy the film Annie

I'm afraid I don't like watching films with lots of suspense, or where I'm struggling to work out the twists and turns of a complicated plot, so the relative lack of one in Mr Turner was something of a bonus for me. I love reading biographies, so perhaps that's why I liked the film.

'It'sh is due to the fact that I'm using a new mouse and it seems to be having a breakdown....

Thank you Tegan and Jane. I like biographies so I'd probably enjoy it. Did anyone see Alan Yentob interviewing the author Coim Tobin in the series Imagine the other night? It was fascinating.

Have to confess Tegan, I'm curious as to what the person shouting was shouting in the cinema!

He had learning disabilities of some kind and just kept shouting out [mainly laughing] .

Always about a month behind being able to see current films living here, but have just watched Mr. Turner at the local cinema. I thought it beautifully filmed in the way the lighting mirrored Turner's use of light. Timothy Spall portrayed an unpleasant and selfish man very well. Overall thought it very absorbing and not too long. Loved the gooseberry scene for it's depiction of formal victorian conversational inanity.

Four Stars.