The Monuments Men

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, The Monuments Men is an action drama focusing on seven over-the-hill, out-of-shape museum directors, artists, architects, curators, and art historians who went to the front lines of WWII to rescue the world’s artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and return them to their rightful owners. With the art hidden behind enemy lines, how could these guys hope to succeed?

Critics largely found The Monuments Men a well-intentioned misfire — the story of the real-life art rescuers felt important, but Clooney's film was widely faulted for a slack, episodic structure and a nostalgic tone that kept it at arm's length from genuine emotion. The strong ensemble cast and handsome production weren't enough to compensate for a script that critics felt coasted on goodwill rather than dramatic momentum.