Breakfast gets interesting -- ‘Albert Nobbs’ exclusive clip
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‘Albert Nobbs’ stars Glenn Close as a middle-aged sexual innocent who masquerades as a man to secure employment as a waiter in poverty-stricken 19th century Ireland. Quiet and withdrawn, Albert has been leading a double life, taping down her breasts and dressing as a man for so long she’s lost touch with who she once was. British actress Janet McTeer plays Albert’s confidant, Hubert Page, a lesbian secretly living in domestic bliss with the love of her life.
Based on the short story by 19th century Irish writer George Moore, the movie represents the culmination of a 30-year artistic odyssey for Close, one that netted her both Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. She not only plays the title character (as she did in an Obie Award-winning off-Broadway production in 1982), she also co-produced the film and co-wrote the screenplay with Irish novelist John Banville and Gabriella Prekop. She even penned the lyrics for the movie’s theme song.
Though the film has crossing-dressing woman at its center, Close told The Times the film is not about gender politics, but rather the universal quest for human connection.
‘It’s not a story about lesbianism,” Close said. “For Albert, it’s about survival; it’s only about sexual identity in that she has none.’
Still, “Albert Nobbs” is rife with double entendres and gender play. In this exclusive clip from Roadside Attractions, Albert brings the heavy-drinking house doctor, played by Brendan Gleeson, his morning “eye-opener.” The two “men” share a private moment -- could Albert be considering taking a wife?
--Deborah Vankin
