That 'Can You Ever Forgive Me' was one of the most acclaimed films of the year and that it was based on a very interesting person, where her strengths were also her undoing somewhat, were reasons enough to see it in the first place. Another was curiosity, being interested but a little nervous about seeing Melissa McCarthy in a part completely different than her usual ones, being known for her sometimes bubbly but mostly brash roles (the opposite of here).

'Can You Ever Forgive Me' turned out to be well worth the look and more, that is a bit of an understatement in my view actually. Its acclaim in my eyes is more than richly deserved, in one of the better films of the year in a year that was/is pretty variable. Was not sure as to whether McCarthy would work in a dramatic role and easily her most serious one to date, but her performance for me was one of 2018's biggest surprises and in a good way (more on that later).

Maybe the first ten minutes were a bit of a slow starter, but actually this reviewer found hardly anything wrong with 'Can You Ever Forgive Me'. Despite being a generous reviewer usually, this is a distinction that did not apply for many 2018 films.

It is beautifully filmed, never trying to do too much so it never looks overblown while not looking static. The locations are also lovely while in perfect keeping with the not too optmistic but never overly-depressing atmosphere. The film similarly had clever use of music that didn't jar with the mood with each scene's mood, while the direction is sympathetic while not once sugar-coating things.

Furthermore, the script matches Lee Israel's character traits to a tee. It is witty without being over-reliant on that, considering the story is a serious one. It is intelligent. And it is uncompromising. Although the story is hard-hitting, it isn't overly serious and it is also very human and sensitive. Israel herself feels like a real character, not a stereotype or a cartoon.

As said, one of the year's biggest surprises was seeing an against type McCarthy giving her best performance to date, before she was hit and miss to me and it was dependent on the material while here she was quite mesmerising and her unapologetic traits come over powerfully. Richard E Grant shares terrific chemistry with her and gives a performance that matches her in intensity and humanity. Jane Curtin and Dolly Wells are especially spot on of a supporting cast more than up to McCarthy and Grant's level.

On the whole, great. 9/10

CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? is another Hollywood flick that I feel probably made a better book than it does a movie. Not that it's a particularly bad film, it's just that it's a bit, well, bland, and not really very cinematic. It's saved by a likeable supporting turn from Richard E. Grant - who seems to be channeling Withnail - and a small scale but interesting plot in which the main character's brass neck attitude takes some beating. Melissa McCarthy is better known for making lots of dumb comedies and she's far more subdued here, but suffers from playing an unlikeable character.

It's 1991 New York. Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) is a miserable malcontent. She drinks a lot and gets fired from her job. She writes in-depth biographies of bygone stars but her writing isn't popular in recent days. She hates the success of nemesis Tom Clancy and her agent avoids her. She has money troubles and is forced to sell a rare letter. It gives her the idea to use her vast knowledge of her subjects to forge some 400 letters from past stars. She is befriended by fellow malcontent barfly Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant) who would become her accomplice in her crime.

Sometimes, comedians make for compelling sad angry dramatic actors. This is one of those cases and Melissa is assisted by the brilliant Richard E. Grant. I knew this is going to be a good role when she steals the coat. A miserable lead character can be a miserable viewing experience. It's her unpredictable dickishness that makes her fun. The other funny moment is her realizing that she's living in a cat pee stink hole when the exterminator arrives. It's a real reveal of her character. There is one character that I feel gets underserved. Anna has an interesting role but the movie sorta drops her. In a way, I understand the lost of that character. She represents salvation and it can't happen but she can be used to show the damage in trust that Lee did. I can see a damning poetic move where Anna runs into Lee and demands to have her short story back. The final section showing the greediness in the trade is compelling but that character is new and has no emotional connection. The idea could be better illustrated with a similar situation but with a previously known character. Having someone else give the grandma spiel to one of the dealers. This movie excels in portraying a villain and giving her humanity.