The Critic

Directed by: Anand Tucker

Written by: Patrick Marber based on book by Anthony Quinn.

Haggard and vicious lead drama critic of The Chronicle, Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) finds his lifestyle and livelihood under threat, when new head of the paper David Brooke (Mark Strong) needs to cut waste and take the paper back to its former successes. After a particularly savage review of actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton), and a public “indiscretion”, Erskine finds himself on borrowed time. When he discovers that Brookes sensitivity to harsh reviews of Ms. Land may be a little more personal he sees a way, with the help of Nina, to protect his career and get control. But when the plan goes badly wrong. Erskine’s own plan takes a very dark turn.

There’s a bit of irony that a film about a savage drama critic, may well find itself on the wrong end of one or two less than flattering reviews, well one at least! Because this was a rather disappointing, melodramatic piece of nonsense.

And that’s a pity, because, the first half of it was interesting, funny and full of charm. McKellan’s curmudgeon drama critic particularly as he showed witt, a disregard for societal norms, a dislike for those whose views threatened society and, importantly, a touching side when challenged by one on the end of his most withering critiques.

But it’s the second half that undoes the good work. The characters becoming increasingly unlikable through their own selfishness and self pity. None of the characters, who make increasingly unrealistic decisions, have any redeeming qualities to the point where I no longer cared about them. This is not helped by a storyline that gets increasingly silly and performances more melodramatic. Ultimately all feeling a bit tiresome.

The Critic is half a good film. Its first half is intriguing, humorous and charming. But loses its way in a second that becomes increasingly unbelievable, with increasingly unlikeable characters that you stop caring about.. I imagine Erskine’s review would be less than flattering!