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7

AxeTFeb 7, 2019

Not a fan of Melissa McCarthy (except in sketch comedy), but she carries this curiously original true story and is terrific. Here's an example of a new movie with no style gimmicks, just straight conventional filmmaking which is asNot a fan of Melissa McCarthy (except in sketch comedy), but she carries this curiously original true story and is terrific. Here's an example of a new movie with no style gimmicks, just straight conventional filmmaking which is as atmospheric and full of feeling as anything and far better to watch as such than all the camera conscious junk much in vogue. Poetic in its comedic pathos, the movie has the soul of great literary aspiration.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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7

hnestlyontheslyOct 12, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is rare to see a movie that so perfectly accomplishes what it sets out to do. McCarthy had spoken previously in interviews about her interest in playing an “unapologetic woman”, the beauty of finding something sympathetic in that deeply private, closed-off person.

It’s what makes the recurring drunk calls to Elaine so compelling. But there are also these gestures to realism that make the film even more compelling, Wife says: the way that Elaine isn’t interested in being her sounding board, hasn’t thought about her or the cat in years, leaves rather than “talk (Lee) off the edge”.

The lack of redemption is refreshing: Lee’s aversion to AA. The metatheatrical references of things that make Lee Israel an unpublishable writer that make Melissa McCarthy an unbankable actor, in the same vein as Lizzie. Lee’s ability to flawlessly quote the Golden Age movie she’s watching contrasts her own unimpressive existence with her dramatic persona and inner life.

Can You Ever‘s light touches sometimes sock you in the stomach as hard as the heavy stuff:The excruciating date Lee goes on is one of the most awkward date scenes I’ve seen all year and I saw Eighth Grade. The way Lee looks so ashamed and confused by the smell of her own apartment and the quick about face by her friend Jack who is at first repulsed and them recognizes that Lee doesn’t understand.

This film has done a tremendous job of sketching out two flawed characters into fully considered, pathetic persons. The story is told well and transcends the limitations of the biopic genre.… Expand

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6

The3AcademySinsOct 23, 2018

Can You Ever Forgive Me feels ultimately forgettable for me. It doesn't help that the trailers for this film, which have been running before every movie I have seen this past year, tell the whole story of the movie! I found it to be quite anCan You Ever Forgive Me feels ultimately forgettable for me. It doesn't help that the trailers for this film, which have been running before every movie I have seen this past year, tell the whole story of the movie! I found it to be quite an unremarkable tale. There are two good things that save the movie from total mediocrity, and those two things are Melissa McCarthy and Richard E Grant. Their acting is both very good, and Melissa McCarthy was honestly pretty good in a serious role. Overall, if you like acting, you can gain some entertainment from this movie. Otherwise, it's not really worth seeing.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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7

GinaKOct 29, 2018

I’ll get my two criticisms over with first. I thought the film was too long, and even though the movie was entertaining, it didn’t have anything interesting to say about writers and writing. That said, I enjoyed it, and it was often funny andI’ll get my two criticisms over with first. I thought the film was too long, and even though the movie was entertaining, it didn’t have anything interesting to say about writers and writing. That said, I enjoyed it, and it was often funny and occasionally witty. Both McCarthy and Grant were fun to watch as were all of the “minor” characters. With a more inventive script (for example, like McCarthy’s movie Spy), the film would have been much more entertaining. Nevertheless, the acting was very good, and I would recommend the film.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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7

NightReviewsOct 30, 2018

Many of the greatest writers to have ever lived wrote their stories and ideas whisked under the heavy smoke of dive bars and speak easy’s in New York City; basked in the heavy odour of dried gin, bourbon and whiskey, some of the world’sMany of the greatest writers to have ever lived wrote their stories and ideas whisked under the heavy smoke of dive bars and speak easy’s in New York City; basked in the heavy odour of dried gin, bourbon and whiskey, some of the world’s literary genius’ stories have been told on the silver screen over the last few decades. Can You Ever Forgive Me?, I can assure you, is not one of those stories.

Yet, even though Lee Isreal (Melissa McCarthy) isn’t one of those writers, her story is just as entertaining and captivating as one of the greats.

Isreal, played masterfully by McCarthy, is a frumpy, miserable biographer who has profiled some iconic subjects, including Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Dorothy Kilgallen and Estee Lauder; the later who was easily responsible for destroying her career due to a less than favourable depiction. After her biography of Lauder, Isreal quickly declined into a life of alcoholism, wage labour and loneliness. Can You Ever Forgive Me? picks up right at Israel’s multitude of misfortune; showcasing her inability to pay rent, live in less than sanitary living conditions and barely being able to support herself and her sick cat, Jersey.

After being fired from her job for drinking while working, Isreal coincidentally runs into an old acquaintance Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant) at a local bar. While the two reminisce of ‘pissing’ off some guests at a recent party, the two share some stories, drinks and laughs together, and quickly become drinking buddies and eventual friends, much to Isreal’s surprise. The chemistry between McCarthy and Grant, although not romantic, is reminiscent of some of the best Bonnie and Clyde type pairings in film in recent memory. While the duo are both very different personalities, thanks to the forceless acting of both nuanced and comedic actors, Lee and Jack bounce off one another’s miscreant behaviour as if they were two hyenas; starving on the streets of New York, drunk with possibility, old memories and wonderment. Watching Can You Ever Forgive Me? just for the promise of getting some of the best buddy-con comedy moments of 2018, would be an understatement.

Yet, no matter how many good times and stiff drinks the two share, the realities of the real world comes crumbling down on them in disarraying fashion, especially onto Isreal. Threatened with eviction and the possibility of losing her cat at any given moment due to its declining health, as fate would have it, Isreal stumbles across a genuine letter written by Fanny Brice during her research at a local library. Thinking of it more as a meal ticket than as a collectors piece, Isreal sells the letter to a local bookstore collector Anna (Dolly Wells), thus giving her the brilliant idea to embellish other letters by prominent celebrity figures for monetary gain. Visiting local archives and stealing original letters, embellishing her own letters out of thin air or adding her own flair to already existing letters, Isreal’s escapades amounted to over four-hundred forged pieces of work.

While the real-life Israel passed away in 2014, the author’s most infamous works still remain to be her criminal activity and the embellishment of these letters, as well as the confessional novel in which this movie is based on. While upon its release, many critics, publishers and the literary community found the novel to be overtly tongue-in-cheek, and merely another form of a meal ticket for Isreal following her criminal activity. Yet, the film itself is a very sombre and lumpy depiction, very carefully avoiding as much spectacle, glamour and embellishment of its own, telling a very straight forward story of a woman who is down on her luck and who’s back is against the wall, left with no other options.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? wouldn’t be able to exist without the quite exquisite performance of McCarthy; its clear Alongside her partner in crime, McCarthy’s performance is so nuanced yet gripping, it elevates the performances of everyone around her, including Dolly Wells, a naive and charming inherited bookstore owner who also shows some interest in Isreal’s talent and personality. Isreal’s interaction, including a very emotionally closed off ‘date’ with Anna at a restaurant are among the most memorable scenes in the film. Luckily for the tone of the film, none of these interactions are overtly showy, which sits respectfully next to the tone of film. Sadly, as we’ve seen too many times in the past, Academy Awards voters aren’t always easily convinced with very subtle and quietly ingenious performances. It’s without question that the studio and actress herself will be campaigning for a Best Actress Nomination come this holiday season, but only time will tell whether voters will respond to the actress’s transformation.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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9

Brent_MarchantOct 26, 2018

As a biopic that's about as good as they get, this engaging, smartly written tale about a literary scoundrel and her scheming sidekick delivers a banquet of laughs, tears and a dash of inspired larceny, all wrapped up in an intelligentAs a biopic that's about as good as they get, this engaging, smartly written tale about a literary scoundrel and her scheming sidekick delivers a banquet of laughs, tears and a dash of inspired larceny, all wrapped up in an intelligent cinematic package. Melissa McCarthy delivers a stellar performance as talented but unsuccessful author Lee Israel, who resorts to forging literary letters as a means to support herself when book sales falter. Aided by scalliwag Richard E. Grant, this unlikely duo stumbles their way through a minefield of high-brow crime, seeking to get away with inspired but flawed acts of fraud against potential victims who are ultimately smarter than the would-be ingenious crooks. Good fun, heartfelt emotions and a delicious twist on crime tales all rolled into one. Nice to see a picture that refuses to dumb itself down to appeal to the lowest common denominator.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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8

TVJerryNov 15, 2018

Melissa McCarthy detours from her broad comedy films to a more somber role as author Lee Israel, a "blocked" writer who stumbles upon a way to survive by creating fake celebrity letters. Her character isn't especially likable or pleasant, butMelissa McCarthy detours from her broad comedy films to a more somber role as author Lee Israel, a "blocked" writer who stumbles upon a way to survive by creating fake celebrity letters. Her character isn't especially likable or pleasant, but McCarthy manages to make her appealing. Her friendship with an equally-acerbic man (a delightful Richard E. Grant), brings moments of levity to an otherwise unhappy life. Since it's obvious where the plot will take us, it's up to the actors and director Marielle Heller to make this film an enjoyable insight in this real person's skilled mind and stunted heart. They all succeed.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

netflicNov 12, 2018

It is an adaptation of a book with the same name about a biographer Lee Israel who turned to illegal tricks after she could not get published any longer.

To make a living, Lee forged and sold several hundred letters of famous people toIt is an adaptation of a book with the same name about a biographer Lee Israel who turned to illegal tricks after she could not get published any longer.

To make a living, Lee forged and sold several hundred letters of famous people to collectors and antics' shops before she got caught.

Lee is played by Melissa McCarty, and her performance is outstanding.

The subject of the movie was not very interesting to me yet the way the film was made turned my experience rather enjoyable.

Plenty of sour humor here but I would not call it a comedy; it is a drama with some comic relief.

The atmosphere of New York circa 1980-1990 is very good one as well.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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7

tropicAcesNov 9, 2018

Nicely paced and Grant is a hoot. Just a simple movie, not very demanding or deep.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

Compi24Dec 11, 2018

After seeing her in both "Life Of The Party" and "The Happytime Murders" -- two of the worst movies of the year, in my opinion -- I didn't exactly have a whole lot of hope for this more dramatically inclined offering from Melissa McCarthy andAfter seeing her in both "Life Of The Party" and "The Happytime Murders" -- two of the worst movies of the year, in my opinion -- I didn't exactly have a whole lot of hope for this more dramatically inclined offering from Melissa McCarthy and director Marielle Heller. But I suppose the third time's the proverbial charm with "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" which not only shakes out to be McCarthy's best movie in quite some time, but the one containing the finest performance work I've seen from her as an actor. McCarthy's Lee Israel is caustically sardonic, brilliantly sad, and devilishly complicated in a moral sense. The entirety of this film's success hinges on McCarthy's performance, and she doesn't let the audience down. Though, that's not to say supporting actor Richard E. Grant and Heller herself don't do their fair share of heavy lifting in the appropriate places. At the end of the day, I was pretty shocked that this was as good as it ended up being. And McCarthy is largely the reason why. We're good, Melissa. We're good.… Expand

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5

moviemitch96Nov 3, 2018

I don't get where all the rave reviews for this film are coming from. I found it to be silly, boring, pretentious, and just plain forgettable. Along with some mediocre performances from Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant, this really wasI don't get where all the rave reviews for this film are coming from. I found it to be silly, boring, pretentious, and just plain forgettable. Along with some mediocre performances from Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant, this really was just a bland, ordinary film with nothing special to offer.… Expand

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9

CLUELESS35861Feb 25, 2019

Great biopic, with excellent casting, do not miss it. Richard E. Grant was robbed at the oscars. Well paced and well written script.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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9

alejandro970Feb 28, 2019

Melissa Mc Carthy as usual, the chubby smart-mouth, and same not. Compelling character of a biographer in decadence trying to get money by shortcuts, with the expected consequences. It`s a small but big step for Mc Carthy for gain maturity.Melissa Mc Carthy as usual, the chubby smart-mouth, and same not. Compelling character of a biographer in decadence trying to get money by shortcuts, with the expected consequences. It`s a small but big step for Mc Carthy for gain maturity. Shall not miss it.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

JLuis_001Feb 18, 2019

I have always been a voracious and implacable critic of Melissa McCarthy's work. I have never denied it but I'm also pretty good to recognize when somebody shuts my mouth and this time she has done it with flying colors.

I have to give herI have always been a voracious and implacable critic of Melissa McCarthy's work. I have never denied it but I'm also pretty good to recognize when somebody shuts my mouth and this time she has done it with flying colors.

I have to give her recognition because this is really a very good film and she shows that she can act very well although I know that these roles dont pay like those dull comedies in which she usually participates but here is the example that she can do things well and the film stands out for it.

Does she deserves the Oscar nomination? Damn, I cannot believe I'm writing this but yes, she deserves it.… Expand

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9

JackusBlackusNov 16, 2018

Melissa McCarthy delivers in this story of an author who can no longer make it writing biographies of long-forgotten celebrities and stumbles into a lucrative, but short-lived, scheme for writing an unusual form of fiction.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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9

slrdavis1967Feb 10, 2019

Marvelous movie, with strong, real performances that match the gritty detail
of that period of New York life.
So sad that all those musty bookstores have gone the way of the dodo.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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0

JudikaFeb 28, 2019

The Mother of all Flops... cheaply produced and so forth presented, underdeveloped characters, poorly written, the minimal literary craft of a novice, few surprises in a slothful plot, typical stock lgbtq characters.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

GreatMartinNov 9, 2018

Every comedian/comedienne wants to also be known as a dramatic actor who can handle the ‘heavy’ parts and as in “St. Vincent” playing opposite Bill Murray giving a hint of the possibility in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” Melissa McCarthy leavesEvery comedian/comedienne wants to also be known as a dramatic actor who can handle the ‘heavy’ parts and as in “St. Vincent” playing opposite Bill Murray giving a hint of the possibility in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” Melissa McCarthy leaves no doubt she can handle the full spectrum of acting. From bleak humor to alternating between sympathy, hostility and empathy letting us into the character’s heart and mind, to deadpan and **** remarks we see a whole human being who though not likable makes us feel, understand and care for her.

Based on a true story about author Lee Israel, whose film title is based on her book of the same name, adapted by screenwriters Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty, McCarthy plays the author who had some limited fame as a biographer of celebrities and finds herself alone, broke, with an agent who won’t take her calls. She lives alone with a 12-year-old sick cat, is an alcoholic and just by chance or possibly just because of her love of books Lee enters the world of literary letters and the money that can be made from selling them.

Lee, drinking in a bar, meets Jack Hock, a gay man, recently let out of prison, who seems to live on the streets by his wits soon lives with her aiding and abetting her in this new escapade that she seems to be doing very well with financially. Richard E. Grant, playing Jack, is a great match opposite McCarthy and even more sly and cunning in carrying off the sting on bookstore owners and collectors.

Very few people seem to have heard of Lee Israel which makes for a more interesting story, discovering a person, who she was and what she did. Along the way we meet Jane Curtain as Lee’s agent, Anna Deavere Smith part of her past that helps us explain, partially, Lee’s being alone in life, a bookshop owner, played by Dolly Wells, who start to become part of her present, Stephen Spinella and Ben Falcone as collectors and sellers of letters, with the former ending the film on quite an ironic note.

Why the producers are keeping it almost an unknown in previews that Lee Israel was a lesbian and Jack Hock a very ‘out’ gay man, who has a meaningful scene with a gay waiter played by Christian Navarro, is somewhat of a mystery as if they think it will keep some of the audience away though it is a very small part of the screen story and certainly director Marielle Heller keeps it far out of the X rated range. There are a few repetitive scenes that she has in the film that slows it down unnecessarily.

The jazz sounding track along with songs sung by Julie London, Blosson Dearie, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and others add to the feelings of a mostly cold New York trying to keep warm whether by clothes, color or music.

“Can You Ever Forgive Me” should earn McCarthy an Oscar nomination and it wouldn’t be surprising if Grant gets a nomination too. The film is a mood piece with very little action or showy acting scenes but it does take us into the woman who was Lee Israel and why she did what she did and why she felt she accomplished something she never would have otherwise. Be sure to stay for the sometimes funny end credits.… Expand

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9

wollam11Nov 10, 2018

Lee Israel was selfish, cold, sad, and disreputable. She was also really fun to know.

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7

MattBrady99Nov 20, 2018

LIFF32 (2018) #4

I like the part where she falls over. OK, on a serious note... ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ is a compelling true story that's both hilarious yet heartbreaking. The biggest giveaway I got when the movie ended - you can findLIFF32 (2018) #4

I like the part where she falls over.

OK, on a serious note...

‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ is a compelling true story that's both hilarious yet heartbreaking. The biggest giveaway I got when the movie ended - you can find the irony and humor in the darkest of outcomes.

I’m not the biggest fan of Melissa McCarthy, if I have to be honest. I don’t find her funny and ‘Happytime Murders’ left a cold impression on me. Ironically, I wanted some sort of apology after that. Still, nothing against her personal just not my cup of tea. However, I’m thrilled to see McCarthy showcase her acting chops while bringing her comedic roots into the mix. She breathes life into a struggling writer, Lee Israel. Whenever she’s drinking alcohol in the afternoon, stealing toilet roll, living in a filthy apartment, and committing a crime that made her famous. I hope she considers more dramatic roles in the future.

Richard E. Grant, on the other hand, is absolutely hysterical as Jack Hock, Lee’s best friend. Grant has been in some many movies and TV show that you don’t have to remember his name to recognize him. It’s satisfying to see credit where credit is due. Providing hearty laughs and emotional depth. Both Grant and McCarthy are utterly delightful together.

Marielle Heller directing isn’t anything special, but she takes a true story (dramatize or not), and made it personal despite following criminal activity. I thought her previous movie ‘The Diary of a Teenage Girl’ was visually interesting to say the least, and I'm looking forward to seeing her take on Fred Rogers with Tom Hanks. Also, the script ties together with sharp humor, which I feel Grant and McCarthy did most of the writing on the spot, mostly McCarthy who is best known for ad-lib.

For problems: The films score is a little pushy, especially in a few scenes when it was played inappropriately. The movie tries to show sympathy towards Lee’s actions and crimes is questionable at best. I mean, when reflecting back, she’s kind of a terrible person. The movie itself is perfectly fine - the performances and writing is what makes it stand out. Nothing groundbreaking or anything super memorable in a few years time, but that doesn't always mean bad. There’s plenty of good things to admire and enjoy.

Overall rating: Will recommend. Forgiveness? Maybe.… Expand