That 'Can You Ever Forgive Me' was one of the most acclaimed films of the year and that it was based on a very interesting person, where her strengths were also her undoing somewhat, were reasons enough to see it in the first place. Another was curiosity, being interested but a little nervous about seeing Melissa McCarthy in a part completely different than her usual ones, being known for her sometimes bubbly but mostly brash roles (the opposite of here).
'Can You Ever Forgive Me' turned out to be well worth the look and more, that is a bit of an understatement in my view actually. Its acclaim in my eyes is more than richly deserved, in one of the better films of the year in a year that was/is pretty variable. Was not sure as to whether McCarthy would work in a dramatic role and easily her most serious one to date, but her performance for me was one of 2018's biggest surprises and in a good way (more on that later).
Maybe the first ten minutes were a bit of a slow starter, but actually this reviewer found hardly anything wrong with 'Can You Ever Forgive Me'. Despite being a generous reviewer usually, this is a distinction that did not apply for many 2018 films.
It is beautifully filmed, never trying to do too much so it never looks overblown while not looking static. The locations are also lovely while in perfect keeping with the not too optmistic but never overly-depressing atmosphere. The film similarly had clever use of music that didn't jar with the mood with each scene's mood, while the direction is sympathetic while not once sugar-coating things.
Furthermore, the script matches Lee Israel's character traits to a tee. It is witty without being over-reliant on that, considering the story is a serious one. It is intelligent. And it is uncompromising. Although the story is hard-hitting, it isn't overly serious and it is also very human and sensitive. Israel herself feels like a real character, not a stereotype or a cartoon.
As said, one of the year's biggest surprises was seeing an against type McCarthy giving her best performance to date, before she was hit and miss to me and it was dependent on the material while here she was quite mesmerising and her unapologetic traits come over powerfully. Richard E Grant shares terrific chemistry with her and gives a performance that matches her in intensity and humanity. Jane Curtin and Dolly Wells are especially spot on of a supporting cast more than up to McCarthy and Grant's level.
On the whole, great. 9/10
'Can You Ever Forgive Me' turned out to be well worth the look and more, that is a bit of an understatement in my view actually. Its acclaim in my eyes is more than richly deserved, in one of the better films of the year in a year that was/is pretty variable. Was not sure as to whether McCarthy would work in a dramatic role and easily her most serious one to date, but her performance for me was one of 2018's biggest surprises and in a good way (more on that later).
Maybe the first ten minutes were a bit of a slow starter, but actually this reviewer found hardly anything wrong with 'Can You Ever Forgive Me'. Despite being a generous reviewer usually, this is a distinction that did not apply for many 2018 films.
It is beautifully filmed, never trying to do too much so it never looks overblown while not looking static. The locations are also lovely while in perfect keeping with the not too optmistic but never overly-depressing atmosphere. The film similarly had clever use of music that didn't jar with the mood with each scene's mood, while the direction is sympathetic while not once sugar-coating things.
Furthermore, the script matches Lee Israel's character traits to a tee. It is witty without being over-reliant on that, considering the story is a serious one. It is intelligent. And it is uncompromising. Although the story is hard-hitting, it isn't overly serious and it is also very human and sensitive. Israel herself feels like a real character, not a stereotype or a cartoon.
As said, one of the year's biggest surprises was seeing an against type McCarthy giving her best performance to date, before she was hit and miss to me and it was dependent on the material while here she was quite mesmerising and her unapologetic traits come over powerfully. Richard E Grant shares terrific chemistry with her and gives a performance that matches her in intensity and humanity. Jane Curtin and Dolly Wells are especially spot on of a supporting cast more than up to McCarthy and Grant's level.
On the whole, great. 9/10