FILM OF THE WEEK
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Cert: 15A; Now showing
Getting audiences to side with an essentially unlikeable and morally dubious character is no mean feat, but when it works it really works and that is the power of Can You Ever Forgive Me?
The power comes from both the writing of Nicole Holofcener and direction of Marielle Heller who seem to empathise with their subject and trust in that enough to largely avoid emotional manipulation in the storytelling. The power also comes from a pitch perfect performance from Melissa McCarthy. You mightn’t especially like her as Lee Israel, but you understand her.
The film is based on the true story of Lee Israel whose moderately successful biography career stalls with her latest project on actress Fanny Brice. She blames the world and digs her heels in, a tactic that pays off, if not in the way she expects. While researching Brice, Israel stumbles upon some letters, decides to steal them, discovers there is a lucrative fan market in author correspondence, and in that a means to solve her financial woes. What begins as an almost accidental crime escalates to become quite a spree which also involves her drinking buddy Jack Hock (Richard E Grant).
It’s a great story, the book about it was ironically Israel’s bestseller, and it translates really well into film. But it’s also very much about the human condition and manages to offer insight into loneliness and connection, invisibility and importance while still offering lots of humour. McCarthy’s great turn is beautifully matched by Grant, and all round it works on many levels. I loved it and believe it will hold some — to lots — of appeal for almost everyone.