The Critic

London, 1934 - Arch vicious theatre critic Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is a homosexual and is forever close to being arrested either with his current live in lover and secretary, Turner or when picking men up in the park. Eventually caught, he is fired from his job by his boss Viscount Brooke (Mark Strong) and so looks for revenge by getting up and coming actress Nina (Gemma Arterton) to seduce the married and famous Brooke in exchange for good reviews, so that Erskine can blackmail him into getting his job back. Complications ensue.

Very dark and occasionally wry look at the role of this powerful critic and his desperation to cling on to power and notoriety whatever it takes, which McKellen, sneering playfully throughout, obviously thoroughly enjoys playing. Overall, it is a little too relentlessly dark and the notion of Erskine convincing Nina to seduce Brooke doesn't wholly stacks up. That said it's well put together, has a nice score and McKellen is inevitably rather good.

Unlikely the movie's titular character, Jimmy Erskine, played deliciously by Ian McKellen, I am not a professional critic/judge/reviewer.

I am, however, someone who enjoys a good story. Alas, "The Critic" baffles me. On the one hand, it had the potential of good mystery, but it didn't choose to go that way. It also had the potential to be a good revenge caper. Sadly, it also didn't go that way.

Instead, we get in a quick run-time of 1 hour 40 minutes in which we don't really get good characterization, a good plot, or even a good crime story. Instead, we get a hurried and inadequate portrayal of a desperate man.

And why is he desperate? That's not really the right question. If you do decide to watch this movie, you'll know what I mean.

It's a period theater drama set in London, England, in 1934. Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is the elderly, acerbic drama critic for "The Chronicle," a national tabloid run by Viscount David Brooke (Mark Strong), the son of the recently deceased owner. Erskine has been writing devastating reviews about 30-something Nina Land's (Gemma Arterton) performances for 10 years. Nina has been the mistress of Ben Wyley (Ben Barnes), an artist doing a painting of 12 of the "Chronicles" stalwarts. Other crucial performances come from Erskine's secretary, Tom (Alfred Enoch), and Ben's wife, Cora (Romola Garai).

Brooke fires Erskine after learning of Erskine's homosexuality. Erskine seeks revenge by manipulating Nina with unforeseen and tragic consequences because Erskine doesn't know about critical relationships. What becomes of Erskine after it all?

"The Critic" is nicely done. Ian McKellen is blustery, unethical, manipulative, and a joy to listen to. Mark Strong is a plummy, arrogant newspaper publisher. Gemma Arterton is trying to follow her dream. The secondary characters behave appropriately. It all depends on McKellen, and I'm glad the film ends as it does. "The Critic" is a little slow at points, which drops it a point.

The director, fully aware of how bad the movie is, had 350 people from the Philippines give it a 10/10 rating (check the voting statistics if you like).

The Critic keeps a respectful distance from its material, favoring neat dramatic ironies over shocking twists or raw, anguished revelations. Perhaps the harshest criticism one could level against it-something Jimmy, the self-proclaimed judge of creative genius, might find particularly insulting-is that the film is far too polite and cautious for a portrayal of such a ruthless character.

Movie is thankfully short, yet it still feels drawn out. Its appeal will likely be limited to older audiences drawn by McKellen's name and the subject matter, offering them mildly engaging streaming content.

Greetings again from the darkness. After the lukewarm reception at last year's Toronto Film Festival, and complaints about the ending, director Anand Tucker (SHOPGIRL 2005, HILLARY AND JACKIE 1998) called the cast back for re-shoots. Oscar nominated writer Patrick Marber (NOTES ON A SCANDAL, 2006) adapted the 2015 novel, "Curtain Call", by Anthony Quinn (a former film critic, not related to the two-time Oscar winner with the same name). Although I can't comment on the original version, this one provides a bit of entertainment.

The famous saying, "Everyone is a critic", holds true because everyone has an opinion (reminding us of yet another famous saying). However, this story takes place during a much different time. We are transported back to 1936 London where we find Jimmy Erskine (two-time Oscar nominee Sir Ian McKellen) is the powerful and feared theater critic for "The Daily Chronicle". He's arrogant and brusque, and super-talented with the twisting of words and turning of phrases. His reviews are eagerly awaited and can make or break a show or career - sometimes in a humiliating manner.

Erskine flaunts his ego like the cashmere scarf around his neck. He claims, for critics, "only the greats are remembered", and he fully intends to be remembered. When the proprietor of the paper suddenly passes away, his stuffy son David Brooke (the always dependable Mark Strong) likes the idea of moving on from the old ways and creating a more contemporary publication. With 40 years of loyalty, Erskine is spared, despite his continued bashing of Brooke's favorite stage actor, Nina Land (Gemma Arterton, TAMARA DREWE, 2010). Two things of consequence soon occur. First, Nina confronts Erskine to his face (a rare occurrence). Secondly, Erskine is fired after a public incident exposes the dark secrets of his life.

These two events lead Erskine to invoke a savage scheme of manipulation and deadly blackmail in hopes of regaining his job. This plan entices Nina to cut a deal with the proverbial devil. The film features a strong supporting cast, though most are unfortunately not given enough to do. Nina's supportive mother is played by the always terrific Lesley Manville (Oscar nominated for PHANTOM THREAD, 2016); Alfred Enoch (the "Harry Potter" franchise) plays Tom Turner, Erskine's live-in secretary; Nina's lover Stephen is played by Ben Barnes (who has been off doing TV and music since 2014); Ramola Garai plays Stephen's wife, while Beau Gadsdon and Claire Skinner also appear.

This is pre-WWII London and director Tucker offers nods to the times regarding homosexuality and racism, and even throws in a jab at fascism when Erskine bellows, "fascists come and go, but theater is forever." Tucker also "treats" us to quite a sight: Sir Ian in the bathtub. This is certainly a story about ego and power, but also one of morality. Does talent afford privilege? Of course it did then, as it does now. But no amount of talent or ego should quash the good in people.

Opening in theaters on September 13, 2024.