Film review: Albert Nobbs

•Albert Nobbs
Directed by: Rodrigo Garcia
Cast: Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Janet McTeer, Jonathan Rees Myers, Brendan Gleeson, Maria Doyle Kennedy
Rating: (M) 3 stars

After first exploring the possibilities of the George Moore short story on stage some 30 years ago, Glenn Close has delivered possibly the finest performance of her career. Based on the rather unusual Mr Nobbs and his (or her) role as a waiter at a 19th-century Dublin hotel, Albert Nobbs would be nothing if you couldn't buy into the deception.

While Janet McTeer looks way too feminine for the role of a gruff male painter, Close is positively masculine in the title role. But looking the part is only a quarter of the job.

Close has the language, mannerisms and awkwardness down pat, and really sells Nobbs as a delightfully quirky but tragically naive character.

Waiting hand and foot on the ragtag bunch of guests, she collects every small tip in the hope of one day setting up her own shop.

After a revealing encounter with Hubert Page (McTeer), who Nobbs discovers is also a female masquerading as a man, she tries to court beautiful young servant girl Helen Dawes (Mia Wasikowska).

This is where things get slightly twisted. We are never sure whether Nobbs is generally predisposed to ladies, or has simply become trapped in the role so that courting a lady seems as natural as the suit that she straps herself into every day.

For the most part, the film avoids the salacious smirking to which such a tale of gender-bending could so easy lend itself. Albert Nobbs is stronger for it, too.

Close is so utterly convincing that she makes up for any shortcomings in plot substance. The Oscar may finally be hers.

Best thing: Glenn Close's performance.

Worst thing: Janet McTeer is a great actress, but unfortunately that doesn't make the man.

See it with: Some Christmas cake.

- Mark Orton