The Critic ★★★☆☆
“The Critic,” a period drama helmed by Anand Tucker, invites us into the morally ambiguous, cigarette-smoke-filled world of 1930s London theater. At its heart is Jimmy Erskine, a caustic, sharp-tongued theatre critic played with delightful venom by Ian McKellen. Erskine wields his pen with surgical precision, dismantling careers and productions with a few well-chosen barbs. But when the new owner of his newspaper, David Brooke (Mark Strong), pressures him to soften his tone, Erskine hatches a manipulative scheme involving the ambitious actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton), who becomes a pawn in his increasingly desperate machinations.
McKellen shines as Erskine, blending sardonic humor with glimpses of vulnerability, making a largely unsympathetic character surprisingly compelling. Arterton, as Nina, evolves convincingly from wide-eyed dreamer to someone much more cunning and conflicted, while Strong’s Brooke quietly simmers with restrained power. Together, they weave a tangled web of deception, ambition, and moral compromise.
Visually, the film is a triumph, with lavish period costumes and meticulously crafted sets that transport the audience to the world of London’s theatre elite. However, the storytelling falters at times. The script alternates between biting satire and heavier, melodramatic undertones, creating tonal inconsistencies that dilute its impact. While Erskine’s wit is razor-sharp, the film’s deeper explorations of power, sexuality, and societal repression feel underdeveloped.
The supporting cast, including Lesley Manville as Nina’s overbearing mother, adds texture to the narrative, though some characters feel more like narrative tools than fully realized individuals. The film’s attempt to balance its critique of theater culture with personal drama occasionally feels overstuffed, like a play with too many subplots.
Ultimately, The Critic delivers sharp performances and a richly atmospheric setting but doesn’t entirely stick its thematic landing. It’s an enjoyable watch for fans of character-driven drama and dark humor, though it might leave some craving a bit more depth beneath its polished surface. A solid three stars for a film as sharp as its protagonist’s tongue—just not quite as cutting as it could have been.
