Alcoholic, playboy, baby daddy; words one might use to describe the ill-tempered  Joseph Turner, played by Timothy Spall, who is perhaps Britain’s greatest artist and the titular character of the film “Mr. Turner.”

“Mr. Turner” tells the story of Joseph Mallor William Turner,  a British painter active during the early 19th century. Turner was known for his use of the sea as a subject for his art and is considered one of the best romantic painters of the period.

He was also a founder of the impressionist movement, known for its unique portrayal of light. This was repeatedly hinted at throughout the movie with various references to Turner’s obsession with understanding the behavior of sunlight and its role in art.

Timothy Spall, perhaps most well known for his role as Peter Pettigrew from the “Harry Potter” series, gave a haunting performance as Joseph Turner.

With the short grunts Turner was famous for, Spall manages to convey the emotions of a man often too preoccupied with his work to engage others.

The audience is forced to listen with a keen ear so some important line or guttural sound don’t go unnoticed. Most remarkable about the film is its artistic flair.

The unorthodox plot structure offers a welcome departure from the usual Hollywood style. This is reason enough to enjoy the movie, but the visual composition of most scenes is breathtaking.

Luxurious mansions decorated with art in the verdant English countryside and galleries decked with masterpieces in the Royal Academy of the Arts leave the viewer in awe.

The colorful splendor of Mr. Turner’s environment gives   the audience a deeper appreciation for beauty and art that encourages a closer connection with the artist himself.