A lonely art expert working for a mysterious and reclusive heiress finds not only her art worth examining.A lonely art expert working for a mysterious and reclusive heiress finds not only her art worth examining.A lonely art expert working for a mysterious and reclusive heiress finds not only her art worth examining.
- Awards
- 25 wins & 26 nominations
Videos2
Jim Conway
- Steirereck Manageras Steirereck Manager
- (as James Patrick Conway)
- Director
- Writer
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
In the world of high-end art auctions and antiques, Virgil Oldman is an elderly and esteemed but eccentric genius art-expert, known and appreciated by the world. Oldman is hired by a solitary young heiress, Claire Ibbetson, to auction off the large collection of art and antiques left to her by her parents. For some reason, Claire always refuses to be seen in person. Robert aids Oldman in restoring and reassembling some odd mechanical parts he finds amongst Claire's belongings, while also giving him advice on how to befriend her and deal with his feelings towards her. Also a friend of Oldman, Billy Whistler helps him to acquire a secret private collection of master paintings. —Nebzyl
- Taglines
- A master of possession. A crime of obsession.
- Genres
- Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated R for some sexuality and graphic nudity
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaThe restaurant in Prague is "Restaurace u milosrdnych" at the crossing of "U Milosrdnych" and "Kozi" in the center of the town
- GoofsAs Virgil passes through the glass-pane door of Night and Day café almost at the end of the movie, there is a sticker on the glass pane of the door which read "Pivnice U milosrdných" - the original Czech name of that pub.
- Quotes
Billy Whistler: I wouldn't be so sure if I were you. Human emotions are like works of art. They can be forged. They seem just like the original, but they are a forgery.
Virgil Oldman: Forgery?
Billy Whistler: Everything can be faked, Virgil. Joy, pain, hate... illness, recovery. Even love.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Zero Listillos: Leonardo Raya: Fargo, Charlot y Casablanca (2013)
Top review
Unique, intriguing and elegant. This is clearly the work of experts.
The only Guiseppe Tornatore film I've seen is Cinema Paradiso which is an absolute masterpiece. It surprises me that he was only in his early 30s when he directed it as the film already showed the work of an expert, given that his other films aren't as notable. The Best Offer, with its tight screenplay, lush sets, brilliant performance by Geoffrey Rush and beautiful score by Ennio Morricone, also exemplifies the sophisticated expertise filmmaking. It's refreshing to see a film with a unique universe grounded in the culture of our own with some bizarrely specific themes. While my only complaint is that the dialogue has this very "written" quality about it that is near impossible to deliver in a natural way, it's at least consistent throughout.
The story is constantly intriguing, held together by a Hitchcockian mystery feeling, and always pays off in a unique way. I'm not one for "old man and young girl romance" stories as they're rarely without uncomfortable perversion but The Best Offer completely justifies it with its well developed characters and themes. However, what makes this film so special and strange is the dramatic turn in the third act. Heartbreaking not only for the characters but for the audience that the film changes so drastically. But this is what made the film stick with me so much. It's wonderful to have a film that you toss and turn in your head, trying to figure out what it's all about. I can't divulge as anybody who hasn't seen it will be spoiled. Just go watch one of the best offers 2013 cinema has in store so far.
8/10
The story is constantly intriguing, held together by a Hitchcockian mystery feeling, and always pays off in a unique way. I'm not one for "old man and young girl romance" stories as they're rarely without uncomfortable perversion but The Best Offer completely justifies it with its well developed characters and themes. However, what makes this film so special and strange is the dramatic turn in the third act. Heartbreaking not only for the characters but for the audience that the film changes so drastically. But this is what made the film stick with me so much. It's wonderful to have a film that you toss and turn in your head, trying to figure out what it's all about. I can't divulge as anybody who hasn't seen it will be spoiled. Just go watch one of the best offers 2013 cinema has in store so far.
8/10
helpful•13131
- Sergeant_Tibbs
- Jun 26, 2013
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Kẻ Lập Dị
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- €13,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $100,035
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $2,595
- Jan 5, 2014
- Gross worldwide
- $20,919,703
- Runtime2 hours 11 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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