Have you ever heard of Lee Israel? If so, do you know her for her biographies, or her memoirs of defrauding collectors? If you knew her personally, can you ever forgive her? If none of this makes sense to you, it will after you see Can You Ever Forgive Me? from Fox Searchlight.
Melissa McCarthy plays Lee Israel, a biographer who’s run out of money, out of favors, and out of friends. Desperate for cash, she sells a signed letter written to her by Katherine Hepburn that lights a spark. People were so quick to believe her without any proof that she began to support herself with a series of forged letters by famous persons.
McCarthy is know for her comedic characters and while this role isn’t exactly out of her range, it is a more reserved performance than we’re accustomed to receiving. There are still plenty of laughs and Tammy-esque moments, but she’s so likable that when she begins to get caught in the act, you can’t help but feel for her. She masterfully works her way into your heart and makes you root for her as only she can.
The highlight of the film for me was Jane Curtain’s performance as Lee’s agent, Marjorie. Their back-and-forth is delicious and Curtain is a master of comedy. You don’t realize how much she’s been missed from the mainstream comedic landscape until you rekindle the affair with this brilliant performance. In general, the film didn’t give me Oscar vibes (maybe Best Adapted Screenplay), but I wouldn’t hate it if Jane Curtain was a Best Supporting Actress contender for this role.
Adding to the list of great characters/performances is Richard E. Grant as Jack Hock, Lee’s enabling friend who fuels her vices and becomes an accomplice to her forgeries. He’s so charismatic and charming and his character progression counters Lee’s in reverse, starting out instantly likable and weaseling his way out of favor with Lee and the audience as she becomes more sympathetic. Grant will compete against himself at the box office through this and Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, where he plays Shiver.
I’m used to Fox Searchlight films being more bold, daring, and dramatic. Can You Ever Forgive Me? Is more quirky than anything else. It has more appeal than a true independent film and could’ve easily been picked up by a director with a household name. In that vein, we should all pay close attention to Marielle Heller, directing her second feature film after 2015’s The Diary of a Teenage Girl.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? Is now playing in select cities and expands its reach next weekend. I see the potential for a wider release, with the film more often than not playing like a mainstream comedy. If it weren’t for the unique and obscure subject matter, this wouldn’t be an independent release.
I give Can You Ever Forgive Me? 4 out of 5 dehydrated cat turds under Lee’s bed.