Albert Nobbs
Performance & Direction: Albert Nobbs Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Albert Nobbs (2011) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Albert Nobbs features a noteworthy lineup led by Glenn Close . Supported by the likes of Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Taylor-Johnson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Albert Nobbs (2011) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.3/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Albert Nobbs
Quick Plot Summary: Albert Nobbs is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Albert Nobbs struggles to survive in late 19th century Ireland, where women aren't encouraged to be independent. Posing as a man, so she can work as a butler in Dublin's most posh hotel, Albert meets a handsome painter and looks to escape the lie she has been living. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Albert Nobbs
Ending Breakdown: Albert Nobbs concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Albert Nobbs reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Albert Nobbs?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Albert Nobbs
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $8.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $5.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Albert Nobbs Budget
The estimated production budget for Albert Nobbs is $8.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Albert Nobbs
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Where to Watch Albert Nobbs Online?
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Fandango At HomeAlbert Nobbs Parents Guide & Age Rating
2011 AdvisoryWondering about Albert Nobbs age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Albert Nobbs is 113 minutes (1h 53m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.3/10, and global collection metrics, Albert Nobbs stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2011 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albert Nobbs worth watching?
Albert Nobbs is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Albert Nobbs parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Albert Nobbs identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Albert Nobbs?
The total duration of Albert Nobbs is 113 minutes, which is approximately 1h 53m long.
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Critic Reviews for Albert Nobbs
**Glenn Close shone in one of the most interesting films she's made in recent years.** Glenn Close is undoubtedly a great actress, with a lot of credit, even if she has terrible bad luck at the Oscars, with eight nominations and eight letdowns. I've seen several works that she really puts a lot of effort into, and this film is just one more. She had already played the same character on Broadway before, but this time in addition to being an actress, she was still dedicated to scriptwriting, production and other details. So, the film entirely bears the imprint of this great artist. Based on a fictional text, the film introduces us to a mature woman who, after a life of difficulties, decided to hide her gender and disguise herself as a man in order to work. So, Albert Nobbs is a shy and withdrawn woman who never lived a full life because of this lie. Her dream is to save enough to start her own business. He finally meets someone in a similar situation to her and gains the courage to woo Helen Dawes, a chambermaid at the same hotel where he works... but she's not entirely genuine in the way she lets herself be wooed. She has a boyfriend who is interested in Nobbs' savings. The film has an excellent initial premise and that works very well, but the truth is that the characters are too dense for a film that I would classify as a “light drama” given the inability to create a more tense and more serious atmosphere. To make things more difficult, the film is extremely slow and most of the characters don't evoke any sympathy, and they weren't particularly well-thought-out. The strongest point of the whole film is Close's enormous multipurpose exercise, who writes a song for the film, helps with the script, produces and still acts wonderfully. She gives Nobbs a typically British composure and sheer shyness that I thought suited the character. Mia Wasilowska does what she can and makes the most of her beauty and charm, but the character seems shallow and uninteresting. Aaron Johnson doesn't look bad to me either, but the truth is that he, like Pauline Collins and Janet McTeer, had almost no screen time. They are actors who have been set aside. Technically, the film has low-key production values and successfully seeks to set its story in the Dublin city of the late 19th century. The props, costumes and sets are what you would expect in a good movie. Cinematography is average, editing is not very good, dialogue is decent but not particularly good. The soundtrack has moments of quality and a lot of inspiration.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










