Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant star as two law-breaking gay best friends in the 2018 film CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Both McCarthy and Grant received Academy Award nominations for their performances, as did Nicole Holofcener and out writer Jeff Whitty for their screenplay.
Today’s post was written by author/critic Gary Kramer (@garyemkramer on Instagram) - Be sure to follow his Instagram account for fantastic reviews, as well as information on new queer film releases!
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
2018. USA.
Director: Marielle Heller
Screenplay: Nicole Holofcener & Jeff Whitty
Based on: “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” (2008) by Lee Israel
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Jane Curtin, Ben Falcone, Anna Deavere Smith, Stephen Spinella & Brandon Scott Jones
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? is Marielle Heller’s fabulous dark comedy-drama, based on a true story, about Lee Israel (McCarthy), a lonely lesbian who was once a New York Times bestselling author, but now can’t pay her vet bill. When Lee reconnects with Jack Hock (Grant), a gay man she once met at a party, he becomes her drinking buddy and coconspirator as Lee concocts a scheme to forge famous letters, as there is a lucrative market for such things.
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? starts out as a darkly funny comedy, with the bitter Lee misbehaving towards others and dispensing some hilarious one-liners. She drips cynicism and sarcasm in a diner sharing Jack’s food while he leers at a cute Latin waiter and asks him inappropriately about his cinnamon buns. But as the film progresses, it gets oddly poignant as Lee uses her talents to her advantage, albeit illegally, and finds a sense of self.
McCarthy makes Lee quite sympathetic even when she is most pathetic. The actress gives a sly dramatic turn here, capturing Lee’s anger and frustration at being almost forgotten in the literary world with her secret satisfaction of getting one over on all the folks she scams. It’s a high wire act of a performance, She is ably abetted by Richard E. Grant who is perfectly cast as the feckless Jack, who is always up for mischief.
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? is mostly a rollicking good time about bad behavior, and some of the witticisms when she writes as Dorothy Parker are very amusing. Heller also features a terrific soundtrack of old songs to emphasize the film’s wistful mood and includes some clever comic bits at the end of the film that make sure that Lee and audiences gets the last laugh.
You can find CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? streaming on Disney+ (Canada/UK), for rent/purchase on AppleTV & Amazon, and on DVD/Blu-ray.
