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George Clooney has long been an award season staple. So when it was announced that his latest film, The Monuments Men, was being bumped from its scheduled release in December to the first weekend in February, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Clooney defended the decision, saying that the film was never really meant to be an award contender—and while that’s clearly the case, it’s still better than the average February release.
The Monuments Men tells the story of a team of art scholars—led by Clooney’s Professor Frank Stokes—who joined World War II in its final days, tasked with identifying and protecting the world’s great works of art. These aren’t the typical troops; they’re older and out of shape, and they don’t really see themselves as soldiers. But when they discover that the Nazis are stealing fine art to fill a massive Fuhrer Museum in Hitler’s hometown, their mission becomes greater—and sometimes even deadly.
The Monuments Men is a difficult film to categorize. The ads tend to make it look like a fun-filled, Ocean’s Eleven kind of romp—only with more guns and Nazis. And that’s definitely a part of it. Audiences would expect nothing less from a cast that includes Clooney, John Goodman, Bill Murray, and Bob Balaban. Especially in the beginning, as the academics turned soldiers enlist and bumble their way through some light basic training, it’s a light-hearted adventure. The war may be raging on around them, but the men don’t seem to grasp the seriousness of their mission. They’re just a bunch of old guys playing war.
And, really, you can’t find a more lovable bunch. From Goodman and Murray to Matt Damon and Jean Dujardin, these are the kind of guys that you can picture hanging out together on poker night, having some laughs over a few beers. They’re just likable, fun-loving guys. But while they make the film’s light moments entertaining, they also make the film’s serious moments feel rather jarring.
As the story continues—and the men begin to experience the harsh realities of war—the film takes a somber turn. The mission isn’t as risk-free as they once imagined it to be, and people around them die, the overall tone of the film changes. Sure, the guys still get into some comical situations—and they still throw out the occasional quips—but it soon becomes clear that this isn’t really a comedy. And that shifting tone often feels uneven and unnatural.
Despite its uneven tone, though, there’s still plenty to love about The Monuments Men. The cast is irresistibly charming, and the real-life story is an interesting one. And if you’ve ever had the opportunity to stroll through the churches and museums in Europe and admire these breathtaking works of art, you’ll appreciate the men’s cultural contributions.
This certainly isn’t an award season movie—or even an especially memorable one. You won’t be blown away by the clever writing or the ground-breaking direction or the powerful performances. You will, however, be intrigued and entertained—and, at this notoriously slow time of year, that’s a welcome change of pace.
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