Kate Winslet masterfully embodies the indomitable spirit of photographer Lee Miller, whose lens captured the harrowing tapestry of World War II for the pages of British Vogue. The film, "Lee," a testament to Winslet's prowess, deftly spans a decade from 1938 to the aftermath of the war's devastation.
Miller's life narrative reads like a tale too extraordinary to be true. Hailing from Poughkeepsie, New York, she transcended her modeling roots for Vogue to become a pupil of the avant-garde artist Man Ray, his muse, and a fashion photographer whose works mirrored her own Surrealist soul. Emboldened by Audrey Withers' editorship at British Vogue, Miller fearlessly documented the war, often accompanied by Life magazine's David Scherman (portrayed by Andy Samberg), chronicling moments that would forever etch themselves in history.
Capturing the multifaceted essence of such a pivotal figure in World War II photography is a daunting task for any cinematic endeavor, yet Winslet triumphs. She embodies Miller's relentless drive, laced with a piercing gaze, witty asides, and a resilience that is both obstinate and pragmatic.
Alexander Skarsgård brings to life Miller's British husband, Roland Penrose, their initial encounter bristling with a playful yet edgy chemistry at a soiree in the South of France, where they mingle with the likes of French Vogue's Solange d'Ayen (brilliantly essayed by Marion Cotillard) and her spouse Jean, alongside Surrealists Nusch and Paul Éluard (Noémie Merlant and Vincent Colombe). These characters reappear at the war's conclusion, with Cotillard's portrayal of d'Ayen standing out as particularly haunting.
The film ingeniously opens with a framing device: Miller, interviewed in her farmhouse in 1977, recounting her journey. Director Ellen Kuras cleverly incorporates Miller's authentic photographs and recreates some of her most poignant images, not only as a homage but also as an invitation to delve deeper into her extensive archive. "Lee" kindles a yearning to uncover more of her groundbreaking visuals, while Winslet's captivating performance compels us to ponder the formidable force that stood behind the camera lens.
