Woman in Gold
An elderly Jewish refugee and her reluctant young lawyer challenge Austria to return a family portrait stolen by the Nazis.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- poignant
- reflective
- historical drama night
- museum and art night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the true story compelling and praised Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds, but considered the treatment conventional and dull.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Maria Altmann's present-day effort to recover the painting is intercut with memories of Nazi persecution and the loss of her family home.
The central conflict concerns Maria's attempt to reclaim her aunt's portrait, stolen during Nazi persecution.
Maria and Randol Schoenberg pursue justice through legal and governmental institutions rather than private revenge.
The Woman in Gold painting functions simultaneously as prized art, stolen property, and a witness to the Altmann family's destruction.
Films like Woman in Gold, and why
Philomena
shared true-story drama, historical injustice, and determined legal pursuit
The Reader
shared biographical drama, trauma from the past, and emotionally direct historical storytelling
The Monuments Men
shared art-world conflict, moral reckoning, and stylish period drama
The Last Vermeer
shared Holocaust-era memory, restitution, and a protagonist seeking justice through institutions
Movie Details
- Director
- Simon Curtis
- Release Date
- 2015-03-20
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (1485)
Cast
- Helen Mirren
- Ryan Reynolds
- Tatiana Maslany
- Katie Holmes
- Max Irons
- Charles Dance
- Daniel Brühl
- Tom Schilling
- Elizabeth McGovern
- Antje Traue
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Woman in Gold about?
- An elderly Jewish refugee and her reluctant young lawyer challenge Austria to return a family portrait stolen by the Nazis.
- What is Woman in Gold like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Woman in Gold as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Woman in Gold violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Woman in Gold as mild.
- What did critics think of Woman in Gold?
- Critics broadly found the true story compelling and praised Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds, but considered the treatment conventional and dull.
- Which films are like Woman in Gold?
- Films with a similar feel include Philomena, The Reader, The Monuments Men, and The Last Vermeer.
- How long is Woman in Gold?
- Woman in Gold runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Woman in Gold?
- In United States, Woman in Gold streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
