A Master of Possession. A Crime of Obsession|Jan. 01, 2013|Italy|124 Min.|R
Genre: Crime;Drama;Romance
Description: “The Best Offer” (2013) is a captivating film that explores themes of love and deception, set against the backdrop of the high-end art and antiques world in Europe. The story centers on Virgil Oldman, portrayed by Geoffrey Rush, a wealthy and respected yet eccentric managing director of a prestigious auction house. Oldman, a lifelong bachelor with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, is hired by Claire Ibbetson, a reclusive young heiress played by Sylvia Hoeks, to auction her parents’ extensive collection of art and antiques. Claire, who suffers from severe agoraphobia, refuses to meet in person, but her reclusiveness resonates with Oldman, who gradually falls in love with her.
Oldman enlists the help of Robert, played by Jim Sturgess, a skilled artisan who repairs and restores clocks. Robert assists Oldman with restoring odd mechanical parts found among Claire’s belongings, which may be from a valuable historic automaton. Simultaneously, Robert offers advice on how to connect with Claire.
In a parallel narrative, Oldman’s polished demeanor contrasts with his involvement in an art scam orchestrated by his friend Billy Whistler, played by Donald Sutherland. Through this scheme, they acquire a private collection of master portraits worth millions by misrepresenting them at auctions as works of lesser-known artists.
Another subplot involves Oldman discovering a charred wooden panel at a client’s mansion. After restoration, it reveals a painting, which Oldman falsely attributes to a 16th-century female forger known only by the initial “V.” While the painting sells for £90,000 at auction, Oldman later reveals to Billy that it’s an original worth £8 million. Billy then purchases it for £250,000 on Oldman’s behalf.
The film weaves together themes of trust, manipulation, and the complex interplay between art and human emotion, making it a compelling exploration of vulnerability and deception in the world of high-stakes art.”
Cast director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Cast actor: Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland, Maximilian Dirr, Philip Jackson, Dermot Crowley, Liya Kebede, Hannah Britland, Brigitte Christensen
Original name: La migliore offerta