The Critic (#598)


The movie I saw yesterday had all the ingredients of an old time crime drama with an added element.  In the movie, we experienced ambition, pride, arrogance, duplicity, blackmail, adultery, seduction, murder, suicide and something we would have never experienced in the good old days—homosexuality.  In THE CRITIC, which takes place in 1930s London and looks authentic, Ian McKellen, an award-winning fine actor, stars as a nasty but powerful theater critic at a London newspaper who prides  himself on panning performances, and he is particularly cruel in his treatment of a young actress.  I think it's interesting that his character is s homosexual, and McKellen in real life is an outspoken homosexual, having "come out" years ago.  He's in trouble at the paper for his viscous reviews, and to insure his job, he concocts a nasty scheme involving the young actress in exchange for future good reviews for her.  I thought it was a good film and well acted by all.  Critics, of course, did not agree with me with only 40% giving the film a thumbs up.  There were no audience ratings at this point. 

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