TIFF 2023: Lee Review

This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.

When making a presumptive prestige piece, it doesn’t hurt to cast Kate Winslet in the lead role. Arguably one of the greatest actresses of this generation, she gets to show why in Lee, a biopic of former American model turned photographer and WWII war correspondent for Vogue Magazine, Lee Miller. Also a producer, Winslet is an absolute force in a film whose lack in originality is made up for in execution. Such a compelling character to watch, appearing in almost every scene, the rest, while good, doesn’t matter nearly as much. A war film doesn’t work without sound design and music and next to Winslet and strong supporting performances, they help set the tone nicely. Being a war film meant that it wasn’t always easy for her as a woman and for audiences to watch but that is what made Lee that powerful as her fearlessness (and the film’s fearlessness) allowed her to go to those dark and dangerous places with her camera and capture the vital moments that would earn her notoriety and universal acclaim. 

Focusing on her career as a photographer then war correspondent, Lee’s life in Europe outside of the various battlefields she covered took a little too big of a backseat. Its purpose was merely to create stakes, however, the lack of character development made the impact of those unnecessary stakes nonexistent. An absolute force who was determined to use her newfound skills to truly make a difference and wasn’t going to let anyone or anything get in the way. Seeing Lee’s drive and ambition on display, in the face of the danger and uncertainty that surround her, was exciting to watch but she wasn’t alone. Living in London with her husband Ronald (Skarsgård), she was not allowed to embed with the British army therefore she leveraged the fact that she was American to embed herself with the American army. However, being a woman came with the obvious challenges. Ultimately, Lee was not the only American present as she struck a relationship with fellow American correspondent David E. Scherman (Samberg). Their sharp contrast made for a fun dynamic where the two became close friends. That being said, facing the harsh realities of war would come with an emotional cost. Trying to tie together the past and the present, as Miller recounted her story to a journalist (Josh O’Connor), the story didn’t quite stick the landing.

It should not come as a surprise that the best part of Lee is Winslet’s performance as the titular photographer. As mentioned, she is an absolute force. Always going full throttle, pursuing the truth and wanting to help others regardless of the cost to herself. Though flawed, she was likable, relatable, and easy to invest into emotionally because it was easy to connect with who she was, what she stood for, and her constant battle to prove herself in the world of men. Her chemistry with Samberg, who himself shines in a surprising dramatic role, was another highlight that the film could have tapped into more though it would also have chipped away from Lee’s story. Meanwhile, Skarsgård’s accent as Ronald was an adventure but Andrea Riseborough made the most out of her limited screen time as British Vogue editor Audrey Withers.

In the end, Lee is an impactful war biopic that may not be perfect but a powerful lead performance from Kate Winslet makes it work.

*still courtesy of Elevation Pictures*

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.