BY LARRY ALLEN

Special to The Pilot

The Sunrise Theater's SunFlix Series brings a -multiple Oscar nominee to its patrons with the presentation of "Albert Nobbs," a drama about a 19th century Irishwoman who disguises herself as a man in order to work as a butler in an upscale hotel.

Five-time Academy Award-nominee Glenn Close stars in this emotional and thought-provoking tale of a woman forced to live as a man in 19th century Ireland. The film also stars Mia Wasikowska, Aaron Johnson, Brendan Gleesan and Janet McTeer. The script was co-written by Close and adapted from a short story by Irish writer George Moore.

"Albert Nobbs" will run from Friday, March 30, through Monday, April 2 (no Thursday feature), on -weekdays at 7:30 p.m., -weekends at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. The film is rated R for some language and runs for 1 hour and 50 minutes.

In 19th century Dublin, Albert Nobbs, an eccentric man in the latter part of middle age, works as a waiter in Morrison's Hotel, run by the stingy and controlling Marge Baker. Albert is hard-working and saves his money so that one day he will be able to eke out a better life for himself by owning his own business rather than work at the hotel. Beyond his work colleagues, he is all alone in the world. One day, a man named Hubert Page is hired by Mrs. Baker to paint one of the rooms in the hotel. She forces Hubert to share Albert's bed for the one night he is required to stay to complete the work, much to Albert's horror. Hubert discovers the reason Albert did not want to share a room with him. But rather than the issue being a problem, Hubert shows Albert that he can follow a slightly different life path than the one he envisioned for himself - one closer to the life that Hubert leads with his wife, Cathleen.

Glenn Close and Janet McTeer were both nominated for the Academy Award in the categories of Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. They also received Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. The film was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Makeup.

Critics have focused their praise on the performances in the film. Colin Covert, of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, writes, "Close makes it impossible to look at Albert and not see some reflection of our own humanity. That's acting, folks."

Peter Travers of Rolling Stone concurs: "Close's range, energy, originality, humor and intelligence merit serious Oscar attention. ... This quietly devastating film goes bone-deep."

A.O. Scott of The New York Times calls the film "... -lively and touching ... Glenn Close imparts a mysterious glow to Albert's smallest gestures and actions, -balancing nimbly on the line between comedy and pathos."

The historic Sunrise Theater, located at 250 NW Broad St. in Southern Pines, is nonprofit. Ticket prices are $7 for all shows. Refreshments, including beer and wine, are available.

For more information on this film or any activity at the Sunrise, contact the theater at (910) 692-3611 or go to www.sunrisetheater.com.