Albert Nobbs

When Albert Nobbs was first traveling the film festival circuit last year, people couldn't stop talking about Glenn Close's breathtaking performance as the titular character. Then, as awards season dragged on, it seemed the same people that lauded Close for her nuanced performance were denouncing her for being too muted. Whether muted or nuanced, both of these qualities play perfectly in the comfort of your own home. At the turn of the 19th century, Albert Nobbs is going on 30 years or so as a servant in a popular British hotel. That's three decades of knowing when each guest takes their tea and keeping a rather significant secret. Albert is not the man he pretends to be; Albert is actually a woman. Every day, she puts on her armour and faces the world in character. She has been doing such a good job for such a long time that she has very little idea of who the woman she used to be still is. Her finely woven web begins to unravel though when she meets another lady disguised as a man to get work (Janet McTeer, in an incredibly ballsy performance) and realizes she's not alone. Glenn Close first played Albert Nobbs on stage nearly 30 years ago. She tried to get the play, based on a short story, made into a film ever since and now that her aspirations have finally been realized, she has turned in one the finest performances of her career. The only disappointment is that this journey isn't documented or celebrated in any fashion with its DVD/Blu-ray release. With just a few interviews and deleted scenes, the disc is just as muted as Albert is.