The Christophers

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Lori Butler (Michaela Coel) is a disillusioned artist and critic. When she’s approached by an old art school friend, Sallie  (Jessica Gunning) and her brother Barnaby (James Corden), with an offer. Sallie and Barnaby are the somewhat estranged children of famous painter Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen). Their plan is to have Lori finish a series of his most famous paintings, The Christophers, a new series of which will be worth millions to them when their father passes away. Lori, who has her own history with Julian, takes the job, but she soon realises that everything is not as it seems, will she go through with it? or change her mind as her relationship with the once famous painter evolves?

While the premise sounds like a Steven Soderbegh, clever heist type film, it is far from it. Instead this is a thoughtful and touching look at two lives, both impacted by decisions of others that, in both cases, stole their love of art. It’s warm, touching, funny and sad in equal measure.

It’s basically a two hander, with McKellen and Michaela Coel, both outstanding, as they pick at each other’s hurt and life choices. It spends most of its time following the pair around Julian’s rambling London terrace, with Soderbegh’s camera weaving between the ramshackle decorations of a house that looks like its given up on life as much as its owner, it makes sure you are intimately involved as the relationship ebbs and flows.

Jessica Gunning and Corden are very much supporting, but also tell an important story, of a father that has allowed such a breakdown in their relationship.

But this really is Coel and McKellen’s film, the two turn in wonderful performances that absorb you and engage you from the very beginning, and as an odder couple as they are, they are a compelling one, that bizarrely you enjoy spending time with.

This is no action adventure, it is a glorious look at life and how it can be changed by heartbreak. It’s thoughtful, funny and dark all at the same time, and a real joy.