THE CRITIC

Years of notoriously harsh criticism result in a pending forced retirement for Jimmy Erskine, chief drama critic for The Daily Chronicle. When the end of his career and one actress’ daring confrontation change his life, a stealth proposition takes advantage of weak hearts. THE CRITIC manipulates the audience in a way that is bold and devastating.
Lush cinematography and lighting immediately draw you into the narrative alongside McKellen’s iconic voice. From the costumes to the jewel-toned sets, it’s a period drama fans dream.
Mark Strong delivers a heart-wrenching performance as David Brooke. His palpable vulnerability pours off the screen. He is captivating. Gemma Arterton gives Nina Land noble fierceness matching McKellen’s presence. Like most of us with the acting big hardwired into our DNA, Nina seeks approval. But her adoration from Erskine comes with a caveat: seduce the paper’s new proprietor in return for rave reviews.
Sir Ian McKellen is vicious and brilliant. Playing Jimmy Erskine, he is a rather vile curmudgeon who revels in taking down enthusiastic artists and their work. Jimmy is an unapologetic diva. The fear he leaves in his wake destroys careers with the stroke of his pen. McKellen succeeds in making audiences adore a genuine villain.
Director Anand Tucker and writer Patrick Marber skillfully steal the plots of Nina’s stage versions for Erskine’s personal use. Shakespeare would love Jimmy Erskine. Audiences will love to hate him. “The plays the thing,” as they say. THE CRITIC is the epitome of this very notion.
In Theaters September 13, 2024!
Directed By: Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie, Shopgirl)
Written by: Patrick Marber (Closer, Notes on a Scandal)
Starring: Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings, Gods and Monsters), Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia, Byzantium), Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone), Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter), Romola Garai (One Life), and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread)
Produced by: Jolyon Symonds, Bill Kenwright and David Gilbery
Executive Produced by: Mark Gordon, Zygi Kamasa, Naomi George, Tom Butterfield and Harry White
London, 1934. Jimmy Erskine (McKellen) is the most feared theatre critic of the age. He lives as flamboyantly as he writes and takes pleasure in savagely taking down any actor who fails to meet his standards. When the owner of the Daily Chronicle newspaper dies, and his son David Brooke (Strong) takes over, Jimmy quickly finds himself at odds with his new boss and his position under threat. In an attempt to preserve the power and influence he holds so sacred, Jimmy strikes a faustian pact with struggling actress Nina Land (Arterton), entangling them and Brooke in a thrilling but deadly web of desire, blackmail and betrayal.


Diana’s integration into the family lands somewhere between awkward and essential. Husband Felix and young daughter Roberta (they call her Bobs) are caught in the middle, allowing for gaslighting from Felix and growing distrust from Bobs. Add in the class distinction with Christine and her family living in a lavish mansion, while Diana arrives with nothing but a single suitcase, mostly filled not with clothing. Writer-director Lorcan Finnegan utilizes flashbacks of Diana’s life to illustrate the glaring contrast. Little by little, the audience begins to piece things together, but not before being disturbed by the effects of Diana’s folk healing methods.
As the story progresses and the truth reveals itself, your view of each character shifts. Eva Green plays Chrissy with both a manic and ruthless angle. She is a master at living inside the skin of a character, and Christine is no exception. Chai Fonacier is Diana. This juicy role allows us to see Fonacier’s massive range. I would watch her in all the things, as they say.
*******SPOILER ALERT*******
Paul Rudd gives a stunning performance as the real-life and incredibly enigmatic “Moe” Berg. A former catcher for The Boston Red Sox, a Princeton grad, and all-around genius of a man, Berg speaks 7 languages and has the guts to take on a mission to save the world. Rudd, someone who has a natural talent for improvisation and making us laugh until we pee ourselves, carries this dramatic film like a true movie star. While his Ant-Man training certainly came in handy for this particular role, playing Berg is further proof that Rudd is underutilized outside his typical comedic fare. More dramatic roles could boost him into award season regular status. The complexities of this man are not lost in the complicated narrative of history. Three cheers to the writers on that front. The superb editing heightens the action and intrigue that leaves the viewer fully engrossed. The film easily captures what might seem like a crazy premise, use a former baseball player as a spy, until you are let into the eccentric and bold mind of Moe Berg. With striking sets and costumes and alongside a massively hard-hitting cast (the likes of Jeff Daniels, Mark Strong, Sienna Miller, Guy Pearce, Paul Giamatti, Hiroyuki Sanada), The Catcher Was A Spy is an exciting historical period drama that delves into one of the most unique stories of the WWII era.







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