Lee (2023)

Lee (2023) was a film that made an impact. We discussed the way in which Lee Miller, female war photographer, was able to convey the truth of suffering during wartime. She documented stories that male photographers would not cover. Her own childhood experience of abuse also had an impact on her work.

We appreciated Kate Winslet’s intense portrayal of the main character and were impressed by her spot-on American accent. A moment we valued was when Lee encountered the horrors of the concentration camps. Her face showed the shock. The reality was left to our imagination. Kate Winslet is a fine actor who gave a major personal and financial commitment to make sure this film was made.

The casting was excellent, with great visual similarities with the key figures. We wondered about Cecil Beaton and whether he was as difficult as he was represented. (Later research after the discussion showed that he was, indeed, notoriously prickly!)

We reflected on Lee Miller’s colourful modelling career and relationships before her war photography. Should these elements have been included in the film?  Some of us felt this would have distracted from her own achievements. Documenting women’s stories for Vogue during the war was an important role. She had moved on.

Although the film was low budget, we felt this gave a more honest view, as we didn’t have unnecessary distracting special effects during the war scenes. We commented on the way everyone films everything easily nowadays, compared with the cost of film during the war.

We were delighted to have an eloquent young person in our discussion; it makes all the difference to hear different perspectives.

The film left several of us keen to visit Farleys House and Gallery, Lee Miller’s former home, which is near Lewes. Not that far from us.

Anne