Can You Ever Forgive Me? - Review

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” is a 2018 American biographical drama film directed by Marielle Heller and a screenplay by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty, based on Lee Israel's memoir of the same title. Melissa McCarthy plays Israel in the film as it follows her true story as a down on her luck writer she tries to revitalize her failing career by forging letters from deceased authors and playwrights.

Specifically, it’s 1992 and Lee is financially broke.  While her much earlier works on celebrities that she has profiled to the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen were once very successful, she seems now either unable or unwilling or both to write about anything else. As a result she is no longer able to get anything published at all, largely because she has fallen out of step with current writing tastes of the times.

On the off chance while doing research in a library one day she finds inside a book an original note from a famous writer that gave her the idea for a way to make money;……… lots of money. She starts to turn the art form of literary deception by forging 400 letters to sell to wealthy collectors along with the help of her loyal friend and drinking partner Jack Hock. And it works, it works very well financially that until……………… “Tis some visitor came tapping at her chamber door, rap tap taping at her chamber door called the FBI”.

REVIEW: On the surface this is a small slice of life story from beginning to end without any real dramatic moments to speak of. But as the old story goes great things come in small packages and so is the case with “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” as Melissa McCarthy delivers the best acting performance I have seen and likely to see, man or woman, for 2018.

McCarthy in a rather subdued manner brings to life someone, a virtually unknown, who is interesting and vibrant, full of sarcasm and cynicism; realistic and self-assured all the while looking almost homeless in drab clothing, unkempt hair and rather questionable hygiene. And if that wasn’t enough McCarthy delivers a no holds barred interpretation of Israel as some who is abundantly and routinely rude, caustic, bitter, confrontational and overall just not a very nice person.

But its McCarthy performance that stands out as she is flawless and perfect the entire film. She take her unlikable Israel on a journey where you begin to actually feel sympathy for her, even begin to root for her to get away with her crimes. And while she transforms her Lee Israel into a full body real person both highly intelligent and equally flawed………………you like her in spite of her many flaws with an overall story that is a straight drama which has some moments that are very humorous that McCarthy is only well suited to deliver. And she delivers the line with just the right measure of seriousness while equally trying not to be overly funny in the moment.

McCarthy and her costar Richard Grant as “Jack Hock” are nothing short of superb together on the screen as they have natural chemistry when on the screen together. I have no doubt both of them will be nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor respectfully when the nominations come out in January. Their interplay was a pure delightful rich and authentic experience every frame.

As it stands now I believe Glenn Close is likely the front runner to win for Best Actress for her performance in “The Wife” and deservingly so. But as much as I admired Close’s performance, as well as her career which includes 7 previous Oscar nominations, if I were a voting member, I would easily cast my ballot for Melissa McCarthy, she is brilliant..

“Can You Ever Forgive me?” is one of the five best films in 2018 hands down and definitely the best acting performance you will see as well.

4.00 Stars