Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a heartbreaking, bitingly funny, and all around terrific film. Although no aspect of this movie is subpar, the two elements that stood out to me upon leaving the theater were the screenplay and two lead performances. Screenwriters Nicole Holofcener andJeff Whitty blend the tones of melancholy and levity brilliantly, reminding me quite of bit of Woody Allen's work. The story they tell is subtle and gradual, letting us get acquainted with the characters before unfolding the plot. Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a true dramedy, where the witty dialogue will have you laughing out loud, but the tragedy of Lee Israel's daily life will cut you to your core. This film's strong writing is also elevated by two of the best performances of the year, from Melissa McCarthy leading and Richard E. Grant supporting. In the hands of McCarthy an Grant, the characters of Lee Israel and Jack are given both emotional depth and charm, with some absolutely delicious chemistry between the two. Additionally, director Marielle Heller deserves praise for the pacing and tone of the film, as both are spot on with the story she is trying to tell. It seems she was also keen enough to know that with two terrific actors, she could tend towards subtlety and let their performances guide the story. The only criticism I can make is that the third act is rather devoid of tension. As Israel's life upends you'd expect to be gripped with suspense and anticipation, but what we got was more of the same leisure and melancholy tone. Overall, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is one of my favorite films of the year so far, and definitely worth a watch.
Review of Can You Ever Forgive Me?
