Lee

Ellen Kuras' Lee is a biopic that highlights the life of Elizabeth Lee Miller, a woman who went from fashion model to pioneering war photographer. The film, with its lush cinematography and strong performances, particularly from Kate Winslet, encapsulates Lee Miller's tumultuous journey through the Second World War. However, despite a powerful subject and a committed central performance, Lee sometimes falters under the weight of its own narrative choices, sometimes adhering too closely to biopic conventions that constrain rather than elevate the narrative.

The film opens with Lee Miller, played by Kate Winslet, recalling her past in an interview with a young journalist, played by Josh O'Connor. This framing device, while useful, feels somewhat worn, a common trope in biopics that can make the story less dynamic. However, once the flashbacks begin, the film finds its stride. We're transported to the late 1930s, when Lee Miller, living a bohemian life in France, meets and marries painter Roland Penrose, played by Alexander Skarsgård. This period of relative tranquility soon changed when Lee Miller's restless spirit drove her to the front lines of the Second World War, where she documented some of the most harrowing scenes of the conflict, including the liberation of Paris and the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps.

Ellen Kuras, making her debut as a narrative filmmaker, brings a wealth of experience as a cinematographer, and it shows. The visual narrative is striking, particularly in the way the film recreates Lee Miller's iconic photographs. The decision not to dwell excessively on the atrocities themselves, but rather on Lee Miller's emotional reactions, adds a layer of introspection that deepens the narrative. It's a subtle but effective approach that respects the audience's understanding of historical events while keeping the focus on Lee Miller's inner struggle.

Kate Winslet is the heart of Lee, delivering a performance that is both fierce and nuanced. She captures Lee Miller's evolution from carefree model to war-hardened photographer with a palpable sense of urgency and determination. Whether confronting the male-dominated world of journalism or grappling with the psychological consequences of war, Kate Winslet's performance is a masterpiece of subtlety and power in conveying complex emotions. Her scenes with Andy Samberg, who plays fellow photographer David E. Scherman, are particularly captivating. Andy Samberg, stepping out of his comic comfort zone, delivers a surprisingly poignant performance that underscores the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two photographers.

However, Lee is not without its faults. The screenplay, written by Liz Hannah, Marion Hume and John Collee, sometimes succumbs to the trappings of the genre, ticking off biographical milestones rather than fully exploring the complex layers of Lee Miller's character. This is particularly evident in the treatment of Lee Miller's post-war life, where the narrative becomes fragmented and less engaging. It feels like the film is trying to cover too much ground, which dilutes the emotional impact.

What's more, the secondary characters, though played by a talented ensemble of actors, are often under-exploited. Marion Cotillard and Noémie Merlant, who play Lee Miller's friends in France, have little to do beyond their first scenes, which is a shame given their abilities. Likewise, Alexander Skarsgård's Roland Penrose, though charming, lacks the depth that might have made his relationship with Lee Miller more compelling.

Despite these shortcomings, Lee succeeds in its primary mission: to draw attention to an extraordinary woman whose contributions to photojournalism during the Second World War have been largely ignored. The film is at its best when it delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of Lee Miller's journey, showing how her work on the front lines not only documented history but also left an indelible mark on her psyche.

Lee is an emotionally powerful film that, while not free of narrative flaws, pays a powerful tribute to an iconic figure in the world of photography. Kate Winslet's remarkable performance ensures that Lee Miller's story is told with the respect and gravity it deserves, making this film a worthy addition to the canon of historical biopics, even if it sometimes plays it a little too safe.

Lee
Directed by Ellen Kuras
Produced by Kate Solomon, Kate Winslet, Troy Lum, Andrew Mason, Marie Savare, Lauren Hantz
Written by Liz Hannah, John Collee, Marion Hume
Story by Lem Dobbs, Marion Hume, John Collee
Based on The Lives of Lee Miller by Antony Penrose
Starring Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Samberg, Noémie Merlant, Josh O'Connor, Alexander Skarsgård
Cinematography : Paweł Edelman
Edited by Mikkel E. G. Nielsen
Music by Alexandre Desplat
Production companies: Sky Original, Brouhaha Entertainment, Juggle Films
Distributed by Sky Cinema (UK), StudioCanal (France)
Release dates : 9 September 2023 (TIFF), 27 September 2024 (United States), October 9, 2024 (France)
Running time : 116 minutes

Seen on October 12, 2024 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 4  seat A19

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