As a connoisseur of cinema with a soft spot for witty dialogue and complex characters, I must admit that “The Critic” piqued my interest from the very beginning. The film, set against the backdrop of pre-WWII Britain, presents us with the enigmatic Jimmy Erskine, portrayed brilliantly by Sir Ian McKellen. His character, a critic known for his biting words and questionable morals, is as fascinating as he is repellent – a true master of the art of criticism, yet a man devoid of the ability to create.
In simpler terms, Stephen Fry’s sentiment is that critics, like character Jimmy Erskine (played by Ian McKellen), are often seen as negative figures who criticize rather than create. This story takes place in pre-WWII Britain, where Erskine, feared and respected in equal measure, serves as the chief theatre critic for The Daily Chronicle. The newspaper’s owner has recently passed away, leaving it to his son David Brooke (Mark Strong), who is not fond of Erskine’s sharp criticism. Moreover, Brooke disapproves of Erskine’s sexual encounters in public parks, a behavior that was frowned upon by society and often prosecuted by the police during that time due to persecution of gay men.
Brooke strongly dislikes the theatre critic’s harsh critique of actress Nina Land’s (Gemma Atherton) performance, and there’s a good reason for his negative reaction to the review. Consequently, Erskine gets fired from the paper due to this situation, prompting him to form an alliance with Nina in order to regain his job. Initially, the critic serves as an examination of Erskine’s professional ties with artists, but it eventually transforms into a suspenseful thriller with fatalities.
In this rephrased version, Sir Ian McKellen shines brilliantly in his role, delivering venomous lines with relish from a screenplay adapted by Patrick Marber from the novel ‘Curtain Call’. Marber, a gifted writer who contributed significantly to Steve Coogan’s early Alan Partridge scripts, has since moved on to writing films like ‘Notes on a Scandal’ (2006) and ‘Closer’ (2004). His skill with language adds sharp, memorable lines to the movie. One particularly poignant moment occurs when Erskine tells Nina, “There is art within you, and my disappointment is that you haven’t found a way to tap into it.
The play “The Critic” is amusing, yet its initial act focusing on the dynamic between the critic and the artist could have been delved into deeper. However, it’s the performances that truly make this an enjoyable watch, with McKellen taking the lead and Arterton, Strong, and a noteworthy cameo from Lesley Manville adding to the film’s charm. In this production, words can cause pain just as easily as physical blows.
Here’s The Critic trailer……
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2024-09-12 02:23