The Critic

A witty and high-spirited romp set in 1930s theatreland, The Critic stars Ian McKellen as the sparklingly cynical and bristlingly barbed critic Jimmy Erskine, able to begin and end careers with a flick of the quill. Starlet Nina (Gemma Arterton) is desperate for his praise; desperate for Nina is newspaper owner Viscount Brooke (Mark Strong), also putting the pinch on Jimmy’s expense account. Stir in murder most foul and the stage is set.

Scripted by Patrick Marber – writer of Closer and Oscar nominated for his Notes on a Scandal screenplay – this adaptation of Anthony Quinn’s novel is a sumptuous version of Art Deco London. Ian McKellen has superb fun with the acid critic, but also brings real depth to his depiction of a closeted gay man.