The Critic Reviews (original) (raw)
Summary A powerful London theater critic (Sir Ian McKellen) lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme with deadly consequences.
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Summary A powerful London theater critic (Sir Ian McKellen) lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme with deadly consequences.
Not available in your country?
This period drama may be a bit slow during some scenes, but the devious dark plot is such a pleasant surprise the payoff is worth it. On top of that, The Critic has a beautiful score, excellent set design, and great cinematography.
At 85, Ian McKellen doesn’t have many performances left in him, so any movie that lets the actor carve ham with such exuberant relish as “The Critic” is worth his time and ours.
I saw The Critic last night and enjoyed it so much. Ian McKellen’s performance as Jimmy Erskine is a career best. Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong are fabulous too. I was really surprised at what a classic British thriller this was, a real throw back to how movies from the U.K. used to be made… seriously classy and very enjoyable, couldn’t recommend more.
Wonderful performances across the board; beautifully directed, and an incredible script from Patrick Marber. Ian McKellen sizzled in the lead role with a true Oscar worthy masterclass, but Gemma Arterton and Mark Strong also shine. The subtle power of Strong’s performance is something you rarely see, and is an absolute must-see. Wow.
Although the movie disappoints late in the proceedings by pandering to cliches, few will be so bored as to leave before the curtain comes down.
The fizz of the first half might not go completely flat in the second but that’s only because of McKellen, who relishes another devious character to sink his teeth into, devouring every scene, a deliciously caustic turn that will provide him with nothing but the finest notices.
In its quest to surprise audiences, The Critic jumps down too many rabbit holes, progressively losing all semblance of plausibility or insight it might’ve otherwise yielded.
McKellen has fun as the bitter, biting Erskine, but the plot takes so long to come together that at times he’s the only thing holding the audience’s interest.
It’s only the winking malice of Ian McKellen’s title character that prevents the film from imploding entirely, dirigible-like, as the haywire plot begins to nosedive.
IN A NUTSHELL: The story is about a powerful London theater critic who becomes entangled in a web of deceit and murder. The film was directed by Anand Tucker. Writing credits go to Patrick Marber and Anthony Quinn. The film was adapted from Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call. I’ve considered my role as a film critic many, many times. My goal has always been to help people decide for themselves which movies they want to spend their time and money on by explaining film content and quality in my reviews. Movie ratings are different across countries around the world, and can’t be trusted to paint the true picture. THINGS I LIKED: Ian McKellen was absolutely stellar and deserves another Oscar nomination and, finally, a win at 84 years old. He created such a delicious, narcissistic character that made me laugh and cringe and hurt inside. Gemma Arterton was wonderful as well, giving us a nuanced performance while looking beautiful in every scene. She gives us an extremely vulnerable character who desperately craves validation and make sacrifices for her ambitious career in theater. I was proud of her for breaking off an affair once she found out her lover was married. I’ll never understand women who can carry on with married men. Despicable. Other standouts in the cast were Alfred Enoch, Mark Strong, Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes, Romola Garai. Ian McKellen previously starred with Mark Strong and Ben Barnes in the cute 2007 movie ****. I just recently watched it again a couple of weeks ago! When the movie first appeared at the TIFF film festival, the dark ending received mixed reviews. I don’t know what it was then, but it was reshot. There were definitely two ways the movie could have ended and I would have liked them both. Excellent costume design in this period piece. There is quite a bit of humor in the dialogue in Acts 1 and 2, yet takes a back seat to the dark crimes featured in Act 3. The set designs are rich, sultry, and beautiful. THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE: The incredibly talented Lesley Manville was only given a small role. Still it was great to see her. The tone shifts from act 1 to act 3. I hadn’t seen a trailer for this, so I was surprised by the turn. Some **** fascism is introduced, but it doesn’t go any further. Some viewers have criticized the presence of too many characters, but I didn’t feel pulled into too many directions. As pretentious as Jimmy Erskine was, I was surprised he didn’t insist everyone call him James. TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be bored. Profanity, including F-bombs We see a naked man in a bathtub several times but we only see his bare chest Cigarettes, alcohol Talk **** man’s “proclivities”. We see gay men arrested in a park. (This was a time when it was illegal to be gay in public in the U.K.)Talk of an affair We see the naked backside of a woman in the dark Suicide and murder take place off screen. Several people have affairs.
I know some people have been a bit sniffy about this. In the main those critics who do that as a job. A bit ironic that the paying public actually enjoyed this more. Strong cast with good performances all round. Enjoyed the direction it went. Strong recommendation.
A little slow in the beginning turning into a cynical twist you don’t see coming. One of the better movies of the season, not the best but good. Couldn’t ask for a better cast. Definitely recommend.
The Critic is a British film, produced in England, and is brilliant. However, poor set dressing really get my goat. Once again, however briefly, my National Flag is shown flying upside down. Honestly, these people ought to know better!
It's an ok at best period drama. It's carried by Ian Mckellen's and Gemma Arterton's acting skills more than the plot itself. There's lots of silly twist and turns in it that don't really make a lot of logical sense if you stop to think about it. Pensioners (who I assume are the main target audience for this since the cinema I was in was full of them) will likely really enjoy this film but it's not up there with the greats such as Living.
Production Company BKStudios, Culmination Productions, Fearless Minds, Mark Gordon Pictures, Mark Gordon Productions, Seven Stories Productions, Sony Pictures International Productions
Release Date Sep 13, 2024
Duration 1 h 35 m
Rating R
Tagline Ambition Seduces. Power Corrupts.