As someone who reviews movies it was an instant “yes” when the invitation came to see The Critic movie. I will admit that a large part of that was due to the lead actor, Sir Ian McKellen.
As WWII looms the London Daily Chronicle is in trouble. Heads will roll, no one is safe. Not even long-term employees like high profile movie critic Jimmy Erskine (Sir Ian McKellen).
Erskine owns the nightlife, his theatre reviews can make or break a starlet’s career and doesn’t he know it. For him “theater is everything”.
One such young actress is Nina Land (Gemma Arterton). Nina is yet to please Jimmy. Review after review he’s pointed out her failings and after reading the most recent, she’s beginning to this it’s personal. One night she confronts the most powerful man in theatre.
Unbeknown to Nina, Jimmy’s career is also on the line.
Jimmy’s boss no longer wants the paper associated with the ruthless negativity he puts out. Facing the unthinkable Jimmy hatches a plan. A pact is created between the two. Nina will become the talk of the town thanks to Jimmy’s glowing reviews, there’s just one thing he needs her to do.
The Critic is a movie about ambition, power, ego, deception and betrayal.
As the audience clapped, I pondered:
- Who better to play a cantankerous, egotistical critic than McKellen? Simply divine darling;
- Arterton does a brilliant job beside the veteran actor;
- The detail in the dimly lit scenery is beautiful;
- The movie has the presence of a stage play;
- The Critic movie is well worth a look and not just to watch the masterful McKellen at the top of his craft.
For more information go to Luna Cinema Starts Oct 3.
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