The Monuments Men

Given unexpected timeliness by the recent discovery in Germany of yet another hidden art collection, this earnest, often sermonizing WWII docudrama-like escapade unfortunately lacks coherent tonality. Hugh Bonneville delivers one of the most memorable performances here as an alcoholic British art historian, seeking noble redemption as part of the small, multinational squad headed by Fogg Museum curator/conservationist Frank Stokes (George Clooney), who is determined to preserve Europe's greatest works of art from acquisition and/or destruction in 1944 by the retreating Nazis. Working within the newly formed Monuments Fine Arts and Archives program, Stokes' team also includes an art restorer (Matt Damon), architect (Bill Murray), sculptor (John Goodman), and connoisseur (Bob Balaban). The group is charged with advising frontline commanders and recovering masterpieces looted from museums and private Jewish collections—treasures include Michelangelo's Madonna of Bruges and Flemish masters Hubert and Jan van Eyck's 12-panel altarpiece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. They're aided by a Parisian assistant curator/collaborator (Cate Blanchett), painting instructor (Jean Dujardin), and teenage driver/translator (Dimitri Leonidas). Episodically adapted from Robert M. Edsel's detailed nonfiction account, The Monuments Men is sketchily co-scripted and directed by Clooney, but suffers from too little structure and too many subplots, peopled with diverse characters who should be fascinating but aren't because their individual roles are never fleshed out. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “Marshalling the Troops” behind-the-scenes featurette (8 min.), a “George Clooney's Mission” segment with the actor/director (5 min.), trailers, and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are an “In Their Own Words” featurette on the real-life inspiration for the film (12 min.), “A Woman Amongst the Monuments Men” featurette with costar Cate Blanchett (5 min.), deleted scenes (2 min.), and a bonus DVD copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for an uneven film.] (S. Granger)