Review of Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) by Alan W — 25 Oct 2018

Following in the footsteps of Robin Williams and Steve Carrell, Melissa McCarthy sheds her larger-than-life comedic persona and triumphantly takes on an Oscar-baiting dramatic role in a film about the grumpy and frumpy Lee Israel, a struggling biography writer who turns to alternative means for income in 90s NYC.

In a lot of ways, the film itself is like her character: understating, rough around the edges but it has a melancholic but kind core at its centre. If the dramatic trajectory holds no surprises, its execution, by writer Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty and director Marielle Heller, is effortless and effective, and together with the ingenious pairing of McCarthy with Richard E.

Grant who plays her partner-in-crime/drinking buddy Jack Hock, they have made a deliciously enjoyable, sharply funny, subversive yet accessible film. When we see their characters try to execute their often shoddily and drunkenly devised plans, those moments feel real, as well as tense and exciting; while the way the film deals with their sexual orientation in a subtle matter-of-fact manner is rather commendable.

With McCarthy, in a restraint yet moving performance, playing essentially the straight woman to Grant, who let loose his inner Withnail once again on screen; their rapport and chemistry elevate the film into something more than just two grouchy reprobates getting drunk and behaving badly as they make the audience feel and understand these characters.

The achievement here is that it manages to make these unsympathetic and unlikeable characters sympathetic and likeable in a surprisingly charming way, pathing the way for both performances to be recognised this coming awards season.