Tag Archives: Dolly Wells

2018 Films, Biography, Drama

Can You Ever Forgive Me?-2018

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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)

2015 Films, British, Drama, Romantic Drama

45 Years-2015

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45 Years-2015

Director Andre Haigh

Starring Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay

Scott’s Review #488

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Reviewed October 1, 2016

Grade: B+

In 45 Years (2015), acting is the film’s clear highlight and the main reason to watch it.

Seasoned veterans take center stage and give tremendous performances and lessons in acting.

Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling carry the film.

45 Years follows an enduring marriage tested by an outside revelation that escalates into conflict and mixed emotions.

The film moves at a slow pace and can challenge even the most patient viewers, but that pace is warranted, as the longevity of the characters’ marriage is key to the film.

Geoff and Kate Mercer, a happy couple living in rural England, excitedly plan their 45th wedding anniversary (the 40th was canceled because of Geoff’s heart condition).

They are a popular couple in their town, both kind and decent, and many will attend the event.

One day Geoff receives a letter from authorities in Switzerland- a young woman (Katya) he was once involved with, and presumed dead in 1962, has been found.

After falling into an icy glacier, her body is preserved and looks the same as it did then.

Unsure of the extent of their relationship, Kate is riddled with jealousy, curiosity, and guilt.

Geoff and Kate’s marriage is tested.

45 Years is a mature film involving mature characters. Geoff and Kate are still in love decades into their relationship, but the introduction of Katya becomes an unwelcome conflict.

The film plays out gradually, but realistically, as marriage moves along slowly.

The film shows many scenes of Geoff and Kate’s day-to-day activities: they walk their dog together, travel into town to shop, relax, and read the newspaper.

Like real people do.

This is an asset to the film. Real life is sometimes mundane and dull, but these little tasks are pleasurable and soothing.

Geoff and Kate’s marriage contrasts with the relationship Geoff and Katya briefly had years ago (excitement, risk, youth), and Kate’s point of view is understandable.

As details reveal themselves, Kate feels inferior.

She is no longer young and thinks of Geoff and Katya, and the life they might have had together if the accident had not occurred. Despite being dead, Katya becomes an obstacle in Kate’s mind.

The film wisely doesn’t write Kate as a jealous shrew or a one-dimensional character. She fights her jealousy at every turn and tries to stay strong and realistic.

Charlotte Rampling gives such a good, subtle, understated performance that it is easy to overlook how good she is.

She does not have hysterical moments or a scene where she loses control. Instead, Rampling conveys a range of complex emotions through her facial expressions.

Let’s not forget to mention Tom Courtenay. Imagine being in the golden years of your life and a long-lost lover (in spirit anyway) returns to the fold. Geoff cannot help but imagine a life with Katya if she remained alive.

Kate asks Geoff if he would have married Katya, and he cannot deny it.

Several scenes show the couple dealing with “old people” issues, awkward lovemaking, for example, which highlights how different things are from when Geoff and Katya were in their prime.

Geoff cannot help but be whisked back in time with thoughts and what-ifs.

A standout scene is when Kate and Geoff dance at their anniversary party. Having professed his love during a speech, they casually dance. Kate is both touched and pained, and as the scene goes along, it unravels. She explodes internally.

Sometimes, perhaps a tad too slow-paced, I get the point of pacing 45 Years this way. After all, nearly 50 years of marriage is a long time, and similar days will pass with few important moments.

Thanks to great acting, I overlooked this and was astounded at the complexities both Rampling and Courtenay bring to the table.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actress-Charlotte Rampling