CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME Review — The Tender and Terrific Tale of a Misanthrope
Can You Ever Forgive Me review — Melissa McCarthy gives the performance of her life as prickly protagonist you hate to love.
Who would have believed a film about an acerbic, alcoholic misanthrope, played by an actress known for her raucous, broad comedies, could be so moving, intimate and ultimately sublime? Can You Ever Forgive Me became one of my favorite films of the year in the first five minutes.
Based on a true story, Melissa McCarthy plays non-fiction author Lee Israel, once celebrated for her savvy biographies of witty women, but currently fallen on hard times. Her surly personality makes it impossible for her to keep even the most menial editing job.
Her literary agent, (Jane Curtin) informs her that her writing has become irrelevant, and if she wants a decent book advance she’ll have to pick a more current subject, become more likable and cooperative, stop drinking and literally clean up her act; her clothes, hair and apartment are filthy.
This is no easy task for the committed curmudgeon, who admittedly prefers her cat to people. The only one who seems to be able to worm his way into her inner circle is a flamboyant, middle-aged drinking buddy, played brilliantly by Richard E. Grant. Expect to see both McCarthy and Grant get multiple, well-deserved awards nominations in the next several months. Lady Gaga vs Melissa McCarthy. Wouldn’t that be something?
While doing research for her next unwanted bio, Ms. Israel stumbles upon a letter written by Fanny Brice, which she purloins, and before she knows it, she has a new career selling forged letters from classic wits—and Ms. Israel has the writing chops to make them sound authentic.
Director Marielle Heller, who has honed subtly and humor on Transparent, has given the film a piercing intimacy. Julianne Moore was once attached for the lead, but it’s hard to imagine anyone other than McCarthy owning this role.
She brings an uncanny tenderness and vulnerability to a bristly, acerbic and unlikeable character. We sympathize with her efforts just to get by in a big city known for eating people up and spitting them out. Even though she lies, cheats, steals, encourages people to do things to themselves that are anatomically impossible and allows her cat to use her entire, dingy apartment as a litter box, we feel for Ms. Israel. We want things to work out for her.
And that is the newly minted McCarthy magic.
Rated R
1 Hour 47 Minutes
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Can You Ever Forgive Me review — Melissa McCarthy gives the performance of her life