A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Critic” (2024).
Seen as another Cineworld Unlimited preview, “The Critic” is released in UK cinemas on September 13th. It’s a cracking British film and yet another acting tour de force for its star Ian McKellen and also starring Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong and Lesley Manville.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
It’s 1934 London. Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is a famous theatre critic, gay, ourageous and well-known for his ascerbically caustic pen. His reviews in The Daily Chronicle can make or break actors. He is given free-rein as one of “the old guard” of the newspaper until the owner dies and his more liberal son, David Brooke (Mark Strong), takes over. After Erskine’s toxic review of Brooke’s favourite actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton), Brooke has Erskine’s job in his sights. But Erskine has a secret weapon.
Certification:
UK: 12A; US: NR. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong language”.)
Talent:
Starring: Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch.
Directed by: Anand Tucker.
Written by: Patrick Marber (Based on the novel ‘Curtain Call’ by Anthony Quinn).
Running Time: 1h 35m.
“The Critic” Summary:
Positives:
- Ian McKellen… wow… just wow.
- A great supporting cast.
- The film oozes 1930’s London with great production design and cinematography.
- Director Anand Tucker chooses some really surprising camera angles that work brilliantly.
- The story has some surprising twists and surprises…
Negatives:
- …but I’m not sure I completely bought the dramatic finale.
Review of “The Critic”:
A Tour de Force for Ian McKellen.
Ian McKellen really is having a late-career purple patch. I gave his recent “Hamlet” 5-stars (and my quote made the DVD/Blu-ray box!) and he is again simply superb here. Brimming with charisma and sporting a disgusting level of self-entitlement that is crucial to the plot, McKellen swaggers and barks his way around his theatre-land hunting ground. He perfectly portrays the preening, arrogant and dangerously erratic homosexual who thinks nothing of recklessly landing himself and his loyal manservant Tom (a very good Alfred Enoch) in prison for the night. It’s a performance that similtaneously makes you love the man and despise him. Simply brilliant. Give this man a BAFTA nomination. (I just hope his final line in the film never comes true!)
Great supporting cast
Gemma Arterton is also terrific as the actress desperate for Erskine’s praise. A scene with her expressing that desperation to McKellen in the street, tear rolling down her cheek, is awesome. Mark Strong is a chameleon-like actor who really disappears into his roles and he does so again here. It took me a while to actually recognise that it was him playing Brooke. And it is never less than a joy to see Lesley Manville on the screen again. Here she has only a few scenes in the film (although she still makes the poster!) but does great work again.
London 1934 recreated.
The film is gorgeous to look at. The beautifully warm cinematography by David Higgs throws you back to that cosy inter-war period. (I’m not sure WHY it does… it just does!) The production design perfectly recreates the London of the time… or at least, how I imagine it was (I’m not THAT old!)
The framing of some of the shots is sometimes strange and unusual. In one particular plot-rich fireside scene between Jimmy and Nina, the camera hovers in extreme close-up over their respective noses. It’s a scene of close and dangerous plotting and the camera work perfectly conveys that.
Some twists and turns.
The story proceeds in a fairly predictable, if sometimes distasteful, way. But there are a few twists and turns along the way that I didn’t see coming. I’m not sure I completely bought a scene in the finale of the film (concerning Jimmy and Nina)… but the Illustrious Mrs Movie Man and the Saintly Sarah Shaw (who saw this with me and both absolutely loved the film) disagreed with me on that.
Comedy opening
It’s not a criticism of the film, but the sheer volume of company logos that came up at the start of the film made me start to giggle uncontrollably! It reminded me again of this classic comedy moment from Family Guy!
Summary Thoughts on “The Critic”
A really entertaining British film that showcases some great acting and will hopefully get some awards recognition. I think this will go down a storm with the older population of cinemagoers, packing out “Silver Screen” performances up and down the country. With a pretty meagre set of films on the September release list, I think it may stay in cinemas for a while.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “The Critic”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUiS7W2ol_A .
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