What happens when a theatrical critic uses blackmail to get what he wants? This British period thriller premiers on September 13, and it gets Gilbert’s stamp of approval.
The Critic
The Critic, directed by Anand Tucker, written by Patrick Marber, and starring the amazing Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Lesley Manville, and Alfred Enoch is based on the 2015 novel, Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn.
What exactly is a critic, especially a theatrical critic? The primary role of a theater critic is to attend performances and provide objective and insightful reviews. Sounds like fun, right, but for the actors and producers who come under the cold and calculating gaze of Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen), it is a virtual fight for survival. One bad review can do a lot of damage…and Jimmy is a virtual surgeon who uses his critiques as a very sharp scalpel. The story takes place during the early thirties. London is aware of the goings on in Germany and we realize that there are people in London who hold the same prejudice towards the Jewish population. Jimmy Erskine’s flair for hurtful critiques hides the fact that he has is own secrets; he is Jewish, and he is gay. Jimmy’s lover, Tom (Alfred Enoch) pretends to be the manservant in this relationship because homosexuality is illegal in this place and time. Nina Land (Gemma Arterton) is a beautiful and talented actress who has often felt the stinging words written in the local paper by Jimmy…but things are about to change when a new owner takes over the paper.
The new owner David Brooke (Mark Strong) tells Jimmy to curtail his vicious attacks. Journalism is changing. Sponsors are not so quick to support a paper that has a problematic critic. Jimmy realizes that Brooke has a crush on the lead actress, Nina Land. It isn’t long before Jimmy hatches a plan that will guarantee his job security. There are so many backstories going on in this film, that it is absolutely delicious to watch. Ann is having an affair with Stephen Wyley (Ben Barnes), the husband of Brooke’s daughter, Cora (Romola Garai). But in order to get good reviews and to protect his job, Jimmy encourages Nina to sleep with David. The carrot he holds over her head…a good review.
Conclusion
I loved The Critic, and mind you, I watched it while fighting covid. There are enough twists and turns to keep you shocked over the treachery that Jimmy commits to keep his job. I did not expect the ending. I knew something bad would happen especially because Ian McKellen’s character is such a bastard, but I was caught off guard…and that, my friends, tells you what a good film this is, because I am hard to trick.
As a sidenote to this review, I considered my job as a critic of film, TV series, and books. I love doing reviews for Biff Bam Pop!, but the job of critiquing someone’s creation is not to be taken lightly. There have been films, books or television shows that I didn’t particularly enjoy, but I also know the work, sweat and tears that goes into every project that makes it to the big screen. Unlike Ian McKellen’s character, I try to be fair. When something is good, I will say it. When I come across a bad performance, I will say that it’s not my cup of tea. In the case of The Critic…I will say that I loved it. You will get your chance to critique the film when it premiers on September 13.
