THE MONUMENTS MEN

Basically…
A platoon of middle aged museum directors, curators and art historians combine to rescue the artwork stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Hitler’s plan is to show the captured work in his almost-complete Fuhermuseum but orders it all to be destroyed if he is to die. Based on a true story, the Monuments Men go on a quest across central Europe to save vital items of cultural history as the war reaches the closing stages.

In other words…
George Clooney plays army with his mates. 

The main men and leading ladies…
The star studded cast will attract more cinema goers than the plot will. Damon takes centre stage of the poster for an easier role than his most recent high profile success, Behind the Candelabra while Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Bob Balaban, Dimitri Leonidas and Hugh Bonneville add to the big names. Maybe it’s a case of too many cooks spoil the broth, though, because when Hollywood’s A-listers combine, it’s difficult to settle for anything less than a grade A success.

In the chair…
Clooney has shown his ability to multitask over the years, producing almost 30 movies, writing and directing a handful and often starring in them at the same time. This time he takes on all four like he did with The Ides of March but lacking the polished finish and ability to settle on a definite tone, The Monuments Men doesn’t live up to his 2011 political drama. He may have passed the test in terms of acting and producing but his writing and directing is yet to meet those standards.

So…?
The setting is no laughing matter but the plot is one of the lighter ones to come out of World War II. When you put it into context against the likes of Anne Frank's Diary and Schindler's List, rescuing artwork allows for an element of humour. Despite some very funny one liners though, Clooney fails to maintain that tone throughout. It’s almost as though he’s not too sure what mood he should create, which is disappointing considering he plays dumb and humorous so well but wasn't able to write or direct it with the same precision. The message that dying for religious art is a poignant one throughout but for the atheists who believe art is more than what can be hung on the walls of a museum, it’s easy to be sceptical of their determination. While the concept of saving art is understandable and respectable, the manner in which it is depicted in The Monuments Men was in fact too serious to be taken seriously.

Worth the money?
With that cast list it's not the cinematic experience it had the potential to be, best wait until it pops up on Netflix.