With power comes responsibility, and critics have the power to make or break actors, films, and shows. In The Critic, Sir Ian McKellen plays Jimmy Erskine, a revered critic with a secret.
The film’s official synopsis (below) teases a peculiar dynamics when an aspiring actress who will stop at nothing to win him over, and he takes advantage of that.
Set in 1934 London, McKellen plays Jimmy Erskine, the city’s most feared drama critic, and Arterton plays Nina Land, the actress determined to win his approval.
Adversaries, forced to take desperate measures to save their careers, they become entangled in a dangerous web of blackmail, ambition, and deception when Jimmy finds himself in the crosshairs of his newspaper’s new owner, David Brooke.
The film is written by Patrick Marber and directed by Anand Tucker.
Other cast members include Gemma Arterton (Prince of Persia, Byzantium), Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone), Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away with Murder), Romola Garai (One Life), and Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread).
‘The Critic’ Trailer
The film’s trailer teases the critic’s lifestyle, which revolves around destroying any actor who fails to meet his standards.
But in as much as he thrives in ruining lives, he leads a life that could ruin his.
Erskine has enjoyed his actions because the owner of the newspaper he publishes his reviews favors him.
However, when the owner dies, that favor dies with him, and the owner’s son takes over the newspaper.
A showdown to maintain superiority ensues between Brooke, the son, and Erskine, the critic. Erskine will do anything to keep his power, including collaborating with Nina.
He lives his life pretty openly and flamboyantly, but 1939 was never kind to gay men.
A thrilling tete-a-tete begins as they spin webs of desire, blackmail, and betrayal.
The trailer introduces a wildly intriguing McKellen as he enjoys his life before the storm hits. It’s clear that he enjoys his job and life.
Enoch plays his “close friend,” who fulfills more than one role. He is the typist, company, and lover. Several interactions reveal that Erskine is gay.
Brookes has ideas on improving the newspaper, but they contradict what Erksine has established.
The two are at loggerheads, and each makes a play to one-up the other. They leverage secrets, but the game is dangerous, and they might not like the outcome.
The Critic premieres in theatres on September 13, 2024