The Best Offer
Seen it?2013 | 131 min | Drama, Romance, Crime
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10) and it drew serious awards attention, though it had middling reviews (56% on Rotten Tomatoes) and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and romantics. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 11 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in Italian, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
Virgil Oldman is a world renowned antiques expert and auctioneer. An eccentric genius, he leads a solitary life, going to extreme lengths to keep his distance from the messiness of human relationships. When appointed by the beautiful but emotionally damaged Claire to oversee the valuation and sale of her family’s priceless art collection, Virgil allows himself to form an attachment to her – and soon he is engulfed by a passion which will rock his bland existence to the core.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
56% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesStrong
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$19 million worldwide on a $14 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 115K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
Cast & crew
Directed by Giuseppe Tornatore
- Geoffrey RushVirgil Oldman
- Jim SturgessRobert
- Sylvia HoeksClaire Ibbetson
- Donald SutherlandBilly Whistler
- Maximilian DirrVirgil's Assistant
- Philip JacksonFred
- Dermot CrowleyLambert
- Liya KebedeSarah
- Hannah BritlandTerri
- Brigitte ChristensenThe Sister