The Best Offer

Reviewed by Danny the Demented
Updated Dec 04 2013

A masterful job of storytelling through the cinematic lens. Unfortunately, the story told really just isn't worthy of such delicate care. Beautiful plate serving a mundane entree, wasted opportunity. 

The Best Offer is the latest work by the Academy Award winning director Giuseppe Tornatore. It tells the story of a well-respected but lonely connoisseur named Virgil Oldman (Geoffrey Rush) who runs an auction house. Though Oldmand is Greatly revered in his field, it is not beneath him to use unethical means to procure master paintings with his partner in crime Billy Whistler (Donald Sutherland). One day he is contacted by a mysterious woman named Claire Ibbetson (Sylvia Hoeks) who wishes to sell her inherited collection of antiques & art works but can't meet Oldman because of her agoraphobia. With the help of a young mechanic (Jim Sturgess), Oldman begins to form a relationship with Claire and his world is subsequently and ruthlessly turned upside-down. 

Really a very well-directed tale. Director Tornatore uses carefully measured pace to set the necessary mood for every scene. Each dialogue, every phrase, is perfectly placed. Nothing seems out of order , and everything serves a purpose. As far as storytelling goes, it is a wonderful job.

<Kind of spoiler alert?>

But the story itself is simply undeserving of such attention. The plot seemed old & told. The twist can be seen from a mile or two away. Its climax is so far-fetched it fails to stir any genuine surprise. When constructing a film, the theme of the movie is incredibly important & vital to its success. The Best Offer is a classic case of top-notch directing ruined by the wrong theme. 

This wasted piece of cinema is nevertheless powered by strong acting from the always fabulous Geoffrey Rush. Along with Philip Seymour Hoffman & Paul Giamatti, Rush is one of my favorite character actors today. Sutherland senior is always reliable, & Jim Sturgess, though not a fan myself, is commendable as the protagonist's confidant. All the film needed was a viable plot, and it received none. A shame. 

Not a great film, but still interesting enough to see, just maybe not in the theater. The Best Offer is hardly the best they could've offered, but hey, maybe I am just greedy. My name is Danny and I endorse this message.