Lee Film Review

Released in 2023 and directed by Ellen Kuras, the film Lee follows the tumultuous life of American fashion model-turned-war photographer, Lee Miller. Miller became one of the few women to have reported on the front-lines during the final months of the Second World War.

Co-produced by, and staring, Kate Winslet, the film was a passion project for the British actress which took seven years to get into production and was partially funded by Winslet herself when finances were tight. The film is a strong piece of entertainment however, there were gaps in the telling of Miller's story which leaves the viewer with an oversimplified view of a complex and enticing woman.

Lee is portrayed as a maverick, and a woman determined to break feminine stereotypes. She is driven by a deep-seated search for justice and she feels that her best way to support the war effort is through her photography. Winslet's passion for the role shines through as she offers glimpses of Lee's complex character and inner struggles which are shaped not only by what she witnessed, but also by the abuse she endured. A powerful revelation later in the film offers some insight into her quest for justice and her determination to expose the horrors of war and the crimes of Nazi Germany.

The outline of Lee

The film picks up in 1937, in pre-war France where Miller is staying with group of French artists and poets. During this time, she meets her second husband, Englishman Roland Penrose, and the couple soon move to London. Lee begins working as a photographer for British Vogue as war tensions in Europe begin to rise.

Following her work covering the Blitz in London, we witness Lee's transformation from art photographer to photojournalist. This process is accelerated by a later trip to occupied France where she finds herself in the middle of a battle. After D Day, Lee teams up with celebrated LIFE photographer, David E. Sherman (played by Andy Samberg) and the pair follow the US troops through Europe covering the aftermath of the war.

Lee's photographs, influenced by surrealism and the horrors of what she witnessed, have become some of the most renowned and influential of the period. Some of her most well-known work is from Dachau concentration camp and a mocking self-portrait in Hitler's bathtub. Lee is shown capturing other iconic photographs as her and Sherman dash across Europe from location to location.

The photographer's presence in iconic photographs

Perhaps the biggest takeaway, for me, was the fact that Miller witnessed the horrific circumstances behind her photographs. This may seem obvious, but it had never been something that I had given much thought to before. Sure, I've been to museums around the world, and seen many different historical images, but never before had I considered the photographer behind these images.

We often focus so much on the significance of an image, that we forget someone had to be there to capture it. They lived the moment; felt the wind on their face, heard the surrounding sounds, and were fully immersed in the scene. The film did well at capturing the connection between Miller's iconic photographs and her lived experience.

After watching Lee, I began to wonder: how many photographers' experiences get overlooked when we admire their iconic work?

In fact, this oversight has the potential to diminish a photograph's historical significance. For example, Miller's photographs of the concentration camps have been used the world over to help educate people about the atrocities of the Nazi regime. Yet, when we overlook her as the photographer, we lose sight of what she endured to take these photos; the grit and determination it took for her to be there, especially as a woman at that time.

On the bright side, this speaks to the enduring power of truly iconic photographs. It shows us that, over time, iconic images gain the power to stand on their own, separate from their creators. It's the moment captured that becomes part of our collective memory, not the reputation of the person behind the camera.

Female war correspondent Lee Miller who covered the U.S. Army in the European Theater during World War II (U.S. Army Center of Military History). U.S. Army Official Photograph

Missed context and simplified narratives

There were several instances where added context could have deepened the impact and meaning of the photographs in the film. One of the most striking examples is the scene where Miller takes a bath in Hitler's tub. While the film highlights this as a pivotal moment in her career, it misses a small but crucial detail which could have amplified the gravity of the image's significance.

In the scene, Miller asks her colleague David E. Scherman, to photograph her in Hitler's bathtub. Before stepping into the water, she pointedly wipes her muddy boots on the bathmat. What wasn't made clear was that the mud was from Dachau - the pair had come directly from photographing the newly liberated concentration camp to Hitler's Munich apartment. A powerful detail, rich with historical significance, deserved greater emphasis to convey the full gravity of this moment.

The film also leaves out details of Miller's early life and family background, which could have added layers to her story. For instance, her father, who was also a photographer, took controversial nude photographs of her as a teenager. Including these details could have provided deeper insight into the complexity of her character and her journey.

An abrupt ending to the film

The final scene shows Miller's son discovering her photographs from the Second World War. It's hinted at, but never directly stated, that she never shared her history with him, and it was only after her death that he discovered her massive historic contributions. It felt as though this revelation deserved more time and exploration to fully convey its emotional and historical weight.

A worthy effort, but missing context

The film does a commendable job of capturing and telling the story of Lee Miller. However, it leaves out some important contextual details that, I believe, could have made a stronger on viewers. That being said, I am also aware of the constraints of telling such a complex story in just under two hours.

If you're unfamiliar with the story of Lee Miller, I'd recommend doing a brief bit of research before watching the film. A little background knowledge may help provide context and hopefully, create a deeper appreciation not only for her work, but also for her incredible journey as a person and photographer.

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Written by Katya Mulvaney | Katya is a brand creation and digital marketing specialist. She heads up marketing and communication here at LightRocket. If you subscribe to our emailer or follow us on social media, then you're probably already familiar with some of her work. She also never shies away from a good plate of pasta.

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