Ian McKellen's latest film role is a caustic theatre critic who gets entangled in a web of lies. The Irish writer Brendan Behan described critics as “eunuchs in a harem; they know how it’s done, they’ve seen it done every day, but they’re unable to do it themselves”. Quite a damning characterisation. Anand Tucker introduces an ageing critic, Jimmy Erskine, whose name and ruthlessness are the stuff of legends. When a struggling actress becomes entangled in his web, Erskine drags both of them down a dangerous path. Loosely based on Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call but featuring a different premise, The Critic is a solid, witty black comedy that seamlessly shifts into a chic crime drama.
Set in the mid-30s, high society intrigue and a flamboyant dose of blackmail populate an elegant and gently entertaining film where an ode to the dramatic arts coexists with an invective against fascism and homophobia, making it politically significant too. While Tucker’s stylistic choices are very particular and won’t please everybody, Marber’s screenplay is imbued with stunning eloquence and reverence for the language. “Fascists come and go, but theatre is eternal. It matters more than politics,” says Erskine during a beautiful speech on the value of art in difficult times.
Ian McKellen is exceptionally fabulous, leading as the debauched and caustic main character. He’s accompanied by a starry lineup that starts with Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong, Lesley Manville and Romola Garai, and finishes with Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch, and Nikesh Patel. It’s a cohesive ensemble that delivers a delicious, though sometimes formulaic, plot. Strong is the iron fist that inherits The Daily Chronicle from his father; set on marking a new era from the paper, he’s a merciless ruler. He becomes, however, big-eyed and awed in the presence of Nina, the starlet portrayed by Arterton. She offers a humble, multi-faceted performance that’s on par with her co-stars’ - McKellen’s primarily.
He gives into his bitter side, introducing a smoking, drinking, cruel, yet debonair gent. Though he’s too prone to unleash his ruthless humour, this pedantic and fastidious nature conceals a deep love for beauty. Ultimately, what Tucker explores within Erskine’s person is what we’re willing to lose to gain immortality. Easily manipulated, Enoch often loses his position as the voice of reason, offering a quiet portrayal that leaves a mark. Barnes comes in from the other end of the spectrum with a brooding, intense look amidst all the illicit trysts and reckless twists.
Cinematographer David Higgs captures the performances with a warm, nostalgic gaze. The Critic is beautifully lit. A golden glow pervades most scenes while gorgeous, lavish sets full to the brim with art and detail envelop the actors. While Tucker’s cuts might not be everybody’s cup of tea, his final work is undoubtedly impressive. Grand backdrops suddenly bend into harsh closeups to unsettle the viewer, placing them directly inside the character’s bubble with intruding intimacy. It’s an elevated project, perhaps even pretentious in the attention shown to its visual and linguistic transactions.
The Critic opens in cinemas on 13 September.
Sir Ian McKellen recently spoke to BBC Breakfast about his upcoming break from work and his role in The Critic. The Burnley born star said: “What else would I be doing if I wasn’t working? I shall take the rest of the year off and then get back to work in January. Just keep at it as long as the legs and the lungs and the mind keep working.” Sir Ian had to pull out of his Player Kings tour back in June after he fell off a West End Stage breaking his wrist and chipping a vertebrae. An ensuing break from work had sparked concern for the former Bolton School pupil’s health and future career plans.
Strong stars as David Brooke, the incoming editor of Erskine’s home paper, whose interference in its theatre critic’s usual exploits leads Erskine to eventually have to seek the help of Arterton’s Nina Land. Asked what it was like to go head-to-head with Sir Ian while filming scenes for The Critic, Strong told virginradio.co.uk at the film’s European Premiere: “Well first off, he’s a legend, so you know, being in his company you feel like you’re connected to theatre history.” The Kingsman actor also opened up about how working with The Lord of the Rings actor marked a reunion between the two stars. “I did a play with him back in 1990 when he was Richard III, I was in the company. So I knew him back then,” Strong explained. “It was lovely to catch up with him again after all that time, 30 years later.”
The film is an adaption of the 2015 novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn.
The Critic is a British period thriller film set in 1934 which follows a scheming theatre reviewer (played by Sir Ian McKellen) as he engineers a diabolical blackmail scheme involving a young actress in order to prevent his new boss from firing him. The film was directed by Anand Tucker (Leap Year, Indian Summers), written by Patrick Marber (Notes on a Scandal, After Miss Julie) and it was one of the very last films to be produced by the late Bill Kenwight.
Gemma Arterton cut a chic figure as she joined her co-stars Ian McKellen and Mark Strong at The Critic European premiere at The Curzon Mayfair in London on Monday night. The actress, 38, opted for a sleek of-the-shoulder black dress which showed off her gorgeous curves as she posed up a storm. The flowing number featured a sheer panel over her midriff to flaunt her toned abs and was teamed with a pair of simple pointed heels. She wore her short brunette tresses slicked back and opted for a glowing makeup look complete with a slick of light pink lip.
The new movie is set in 1930s London following the life of theatre critic Jimmy Erskine portrayed by Sir Ian, 85. Sir Ian looked smart at the event in a checked suit which he wore with a bright coloured scarf. His appearance comes after he was left injured recently after falling off stage at a West End show. He was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's West End on June 17 when he lost his footing in a fight scene and plunged from the stage into the audience.
In The Critic a whirlwind whodunnit story line starts to unravel as the newspapers and actors of the day, including Gemma who plays actress Nina Land in the film, attempt bribe and blackmail to stop the scandalous reviews from surfacing.
In a recent interview with Virgin Radio, Mark Strong, who plays David Brooke, had this to say about working with Sir Ian McKellen: “Well first off, he’s a legend, so you know, being in his company you feel like you’re connected to theatre history.” Strong also explained that it was a reunion of sorts for the two, as they had worked together on a play back in 1990.
The Critic is set to be released in cinemas on 13 September.
