Review of Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) by Mike L — 04 Nov 2018

I went way out of my way to see this movie and it was so fucking worth it. MoviePass said I would have to go to 57 Street and 12 Avenue (that is the current state of MP) and I did. Late screening. World Series going on. So many factors going against my viewing this movie. I'm so glad I did.

Instantly, I was onboard. The story of Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) is a simple, yet relatable one. She is someone with all the talent in the world yet none of the willingness to play the game to get ahead. Eventually, she turns to forging (a nice showcase of said writing talent that shows instead of tells for once in a movie about writing) and gets caught, she has a redemption arc...it's a nice, neat plot.

However, that's not what makes the film get my coveted five stars. What makes the film great is the warmth and pathos the two leads McCarthy and Richard E. Grant (he plays her friend Jack Hock) display. They're a true blue, classic comic team- one is dour (McCarthy) and one is full of joy (Grant). Their scenes together where they become friends at their lowest moment might be the most fun I've had in the movies this year. The fact that they are so funny and this semi-serious movie barely registers as a comedy (not a knock on it at all) is a revelation. McCarthy is that mean person we're all afraid of but is a sad, lonely person on the inside. Grant is the disorganized, well-meaning fellow that just never got it together- two types that we rarely see displayed on the big screen.

This film is the rare breezy, heavy movie that we all want to see come awards season. It's important but doesn't feel overly important in an awards season way. I can't recommend it enough. Plus, bonus points for an extended Jane Curtin cameo here. See this movie in theaters while you still can, folks. In fact, go way out of your way like I did. It's worth it.