THE CRITIC – November 14, 7:00PM @ Cinestudio

THE CRITIC

Screening Thursday, November 14, 2024, 7:00 PM @ Cinestudio 

London, 1934. Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is an infamous theatre critic, savagely taking down any actor who doesn’t meet his standards. He lives as flamboyantly as he writes; parties into the night, encounters in the park, and cohabiting with his much younger ‘secretary’ Tom Turner (Alfie Enoch). Erskine is especially harsh with Nina Land (Gemma Arterton), a leading lady in-the-making who has long idolized him. However, when his newspaper’s proprietor dies, and David Brooke (Mark Strong), takes over, Erskine is warned that he must adhere to the paper’s new family values. When his job security is threatened, he hatches a devious plan, setting off a chain of events with terrible consequences.

Based on the 2015 novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn.

Director Anand Tucker | 2023 | UK, USA | 101 minutes | in English

Cast: Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Mark Strong, Ben Barnes, Alfred Enoch, Romola Garai and Lesley Manville

“Despite his character being deeply egotistical and rather vile at points, Ian McKellen wields his natural born charisma to debaucherous effect here, winning you over regardless.” – David Opie, Digital Spy

“Tucker directs very adroitly, the period detail is meticulous and a fabulous supporting cast also includes Manville as Nina’s interfering mother and Garai as Brooke’s imperious daughter. But the movie belongs to McKellen.” – Brian Viner, Daily Mail (UK)