Mr. Turner 2014

The film beautifully explores the final twenty-five years of the life of the renowned British painter, J. M. W. Turner. Deeply impacted by the passing of his father, Turner struggles with his emotions while navigating his complex relationships. Among those is Hannah Danby, his housekeeper, portrayed by Lesley Manville, who remains devoted to him despite often being taken for granted and occasionally objectified. In contrast, he finds solace in a more profound connection with Mrs. Booth, a seaside landlady who eventually becomes his companion, leading a more private life together in Chelsea until his death.

Throughout this period, Turner embarks on numerous adventures—traveling extensively, painting evocatively, and mingling with aristocrats. He even engages in a visit to a brothel and becomes a somewhat erratic yet celebrated figure at the Royal Academy of Arts. In one notable scene, he even straps himself to the mast of a ship to capture the fury of a snowstorm on canvas. Turner experiences the highs of public admiration as well as the lows of critique, receiving mixed feelings from both the elite and the general populace.

One significant event depicted in the film is the memorable Royal Academy salon of 1832, where Turner’s seascape, Helvoetsluys, was displayed beside Constable’s masterpiece, The Opening of Waterloo Bridge seen from Whitehall. Overwhelmed by the vibrant colors of Constable’s work, Turner’s ingenious response was to swiftly add a stroke of red paint to represent a buoy in his own piece, showcasing his innate talent. In a moment of recognition, Constable, played by Timothy Spall, acknowledges Turner’s brilliance with the remark, > “He’s been here and fired a gun.” This interaction encapsulates the tension and respect between two titans of the art world.