Can You Ever Forgive Me?

When this returned to theaters I was so happy because I missed it on its first run. And let me tell you it was worth seeing! I love me some Melissa McCarthy and no, not just because of Bridesmaids. Sookie from Gilmore Girls? Dena from Samantha Who? And yes, obviously Bridesmaids. I’m not a monster. Anyways, I love seeing primarily comedic actors try their hand at dramas so I was really eager to see how McCarthy fared. She didn’t disappoint. She plays washed up writer Lee Israel whose life is pretty crappy. She has no friends besides her cat, she’s surly and rude, and worst of all no one cares about the Fanny Brice biography she is writing. If you don’t know who Fanny Brice is that kind of illustrates the issue Israel’s agent had, but Google her because she’s actually a cool lady. Down on her luck, Israel falls into a criminal endeavor and begins forging letters portraying famous individuals and passing them off as authentic to sell to collectors. McCarthy carries the film on her shoulders and makes Israel (who under any other actor might have come off as pompous, egotistical, and mean) likeable and sympathetic. McCarthy gets some help from Richard E. Grant who plays the entirely loveable Jack Hock. He and McCarthy play so well off of each other and Hock’s easy presence helps to balance Israel’s prickly one. It’s a fun film but it also touches on some very tough life experiences involving disappointments and loneliness that I’m sure everyone can relate to on some level. I can’t say enough good things about this one! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Film or Movie: Film

You’ll like this film if:
1. You are a literary lover (particularly one who knows history)
2. You want to see Melissa McCarthy crush a dramatic role
3. You want to see a touching story about an outcast who bucks social norms