I have to say I did not know what to expect when I stepped into the theatre for the TIFF 2023 screening of Lee. Still, I walked out thinking I had just watched an incredibly compelling yet somewhat uneven cinematic experience. Directed by Ellen Kuras and starring Kate Winslet as the iconic American war photographer Lee Miller, the film oscillates between the predictable and the profound, offering a nuanced look into the life of a woman who defied societal norms to capture some of the most haunting images of World War II.

Winslet’s portrayal of Miller is nothing short of riveting. She embodies the character with a tenacity and depth that makes her the film’s true heart. Her performance is a testament to her talent and brings a true level of subtlety, communicating volumes through facial expressions. The film is at its best when it allows Winslet to carry the narrative, free from the constraints of voiceovers and framing devices.

The screenplay, penned by Liz Hannah, John Collee, and Marion Hume, employs a late-life interview as its framing mechanism. Josh O’Connor plays the interviewer, who navigates through Miller’s reluctance to delve into her past. While this narrative choice serves as a functional way to explore Miller’s life, it also feels like a missed opportunity. The device is conventional and somewhat undermines the complexity of its subject, especially when compared to the more evocative segments of the film that focus on Miller’s wartime experiences. It never feels connected to the rest of the film, and honestly, Lee would have been better had they left this concept on the cutting room floor.

“Winslet’s portrayal of Miller is nothing short of riveting.”

Chronologically, the film takes us from Miller’s life in late-1930s France, where she mingles with artists and poets, to her transformative years during World War II. Her relationship with Roland Penrose, played by Alexander Skarsgård, is a romantic subplot that feels a bit rushed but engaging nonetheless. Andy Samberg delivers a surprisingly effective performance as David E. Scherman, Miller’s fellow American photographer and wartime companion. The chemistry between Winslet and Samberg adds a layer of emotional complexity to the film, particularly during their harrowing experiences on the front lines.

Despite its strengths, Lee is not without its flaws. The pacing of the film suffers at times, particularly in the segments following Miller’s return to her life in London and her work at British Vogue. These scenes lack the dramatic impact of the wartime segments and feel somewhat disconnected from the movie’s emotional arc. It is good to see how she ended up where she did, but these segments never feel fully realized and are basically shoehorned in to provide context and otherwise rushed through.

The supporting cast, including Marion Cotillard and Andrea Riseborough, is strong but ultimately overshadowed by Winslet’s commanding performance. The film makes a concerted effort to present a female perspective on war, highlighting Miller’s unique eye for capturing images only she could have taken. This is particularly evident in scenes where Miller is restricted from certain areas due to her gender but still manages to capture compelling photographs. It is a unique perfective of a war we have all seen in countless movies and pictures, and it works in new and often haunting ways.

“Lee is a well-crafted, engaging film that offers an intimate portrait of a complex woman.”

Technically, the cinematography is visually arresting, capturing the locations’ grandeur and grit. The way the filmmakers capture the desolate beauty of the frontlines and how that translates to the still image is captivating. It is a new way of looking at World War II and one that is hard to look away from, even in the more subdued moments when we are left to contemplate the desolation and the people Lee is dealing with. The film’s score, composed by Alexandre Desplat, complements the narrative with a subtle yet piercing beauty.

Lee is a well-crafted, engaging film that offers an Intimate Portrait of a complex woman. While it may not break new ground in the biopic genre, it is elevated by a standout performance from Kate Winslet and moments of genuine emotional depth. It’s a film that is both an entertaining journey and a thoughtful examination of its subject, making it a worthy addition to the canon of films exploring the lives of extraordinary women.