Can You Ever Forgive Me? -2018
Director Marielle Heller
Starring Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant
Scott’s Review #829
Reviewed November 13, 2018
Grade: A
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) is a biographical drama that successfully provides its audience with sly writing and fruitful chemistry among the lead actors.
A rare dramatic turn for star Melissa McCarthy, she proves that she has the chops as she immerses herself in a role that showcases her acting talent when she is provided a good script. Grizzled, angry, and sometimes depressed, she infuses a character we should hate with gusts of humor and sarcasm, so much so that we fall in love with her.
That is a testament to an outstanding performance.
The film begins in the 1990s in Manhattan, where we meet a once successful but now down-on-her-luck author, Lee Israel (McCarthy). Famous for works now deemed dated, she is angry, boozy, and brazen, certainly not afraid to tell someone off for not holding the door for her or prank-calling a vicious bookstore owner.
We quickly learn that Lee is three months behind on her rent and cannot afford to take her sick, elderly cat to the vet. She fights with her publisher, Marjorie (Jane Curtin), who refuses to advance her $10,000.
As she sits in a bar contemplating her future, she reconnects with an acquaintance, Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant), a flamboyant gay man who once caused a stir at a party for urinating on rich women’s furs.
Lee and Jack are in stitches over the past incident and immediately form a deep bond, though Jack’s unreliability and dishonesty challenge Lee’s patience.
When Lee concocts a scheme to forge letters supposedly written by famous deceased literary people, Jack quickly becomes her accomplice as the two begin to profit.
The film belongs to McCarthy in a challenging role. By all accounts, we should dislike Lee—she attends Marjorie’s parties for the free booze and steals a new jacket from the coat check on her way out.
She distances herself from relationship commitments and alienates most people. But despite these flaws, we adore her and root for her.
When she embarks on a cautious date with quiet bookstore owner Anna (Dolly Wells), she gets through her meal with trepidation, unsure whether to open herself up to another potential suitor.
In McCarthy’s best and most emotionally raw scene, we see her raw collapse in tears when she finds her beloved cat under the couch, dead.
Viewing the feline as her only true friend, she is devastated beyond belief, and McCarthy will pull at the heartstrings in this poignant scene.
Grant is equally as impressive as McCarthy in the central support role. An aging party-boy in a city that can embrace the young and discard the old, he still dazzles with his dashing smile, but his best years are behind him as he still lives a young man’s life.
He flirts with a handsome waiter and still has the charm and humor that have aided him through the past few decades. However, he is also ravaged by decades of abuse, and his luster has become tarnished.
A health secret revealed at the film’s end adds further layers to the character’s complexity and richness.
Beyond the great acting performances, the screenplay, written by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty, crackles with rich dialogue and fantastic aplomb.
The writers write with confidence and smarts and provide the goods in spades. The proof is in the proverbial pudding as Lee cackles with glee as she types her latest Dorothy Parker forgery in the words of the deceased satirist, writing what she imagines the famous author would write.
These added intelligence touches and quick-witted dialogue make the film fantastic to view.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) is a fabulous undertaking made spectacular by two actors with bold chemistry. Combined with intelligent writing, a grand yet gritty New York City setting, and an authenticity unrivaled, the film succeeds on all levels.
Heart, drama, compelling situations, and dark, sardonic humor make this a dynamic film.
Oscar Nominations: Best Actress- Melissa McCarthy, Best Supporting Actor- Richard E. Grant, Best Adapted Screenplay
Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 2 wins- Best Supporting Male- Richard E. Grant (won), Best Screenplay (won)