听 User Rating 
Contains very strong language
Who could be better suited than Peter O'Toole to the role of an actor growing old disgracefully? After watching Venus, it's impossible to imagine another septuagenarian getting away with groping a teenager's breast, and moreover, inspiring sympathy when he gets a subsequent knee to the crotch. It's O'Toole's towering presence - even while doubled over - that elevates this otherwise wavering comedy drama from director Roger Michell and writer Hanif Kureishi (re-treading similar ground to their 2003 romance The Mother).
Leslie Phillips, famous for camping it up in the early years, gives a subtle, endearing turn as Maurice's pal and fellow thespian Ian. Their coffee shop banter is wickedly funny, with Ian playing the grumpy old ham to Maurice's diehard hedonist. When Ian receives news that his niece's daughter is coming to stay, he buys pink towels to prevent mix-ups in the bathroom. But Maurice can't think of anything more delightful than swapping fluids with a nubile young woman...
"BONE-DRY HUMOUR"
Newcomer Jodie Whittaker holds her own with O'Toole. Initially her character feels more Vicki Pollard than 'Venus', but she gradually opens her heart to Maurice - despite lifting her shirt to get there... Her vulnerability is matched by his own as a swollen prostrate suggests he's facing the final curtain. These emotional undercurrents and Kureishi's bone-dry humour mitigate the taboo moments (which are quite few). Later, however, the story gets too melodramatic with Venus making a fool out of Maurice when he can just as easily do it himself. It's a patchy plot, but the Gods are surely smiling on O'Toole.
Venus is released in UK cinemas on Friday 26th January 2007.
