British stage and screen legend Sir Ian McKellen stars in a comedy-drama about an artist’s two estranged children who want a rich inheritance, so they hire a forger to complete the art works of their dying father. Source: Australian Catholics.
Ian McKellen is Julian Sklar, a famous, ageing artist who paints a series of art works with the same title as this film. His children, Sallie (Jessica Gunning) and Barnaby (James Corden), scheme to ensure their inheritance is worthwhile, when their father dies – which they think is soon. The artwork requires further work, so another painter (Michaela Coel) is hired to complete the art.
McKellen’s performance as the dying artist is wonderful. The film captures precisely the power dynamics of a greedy family, and McKellen’s acting demonstrates subtlety and sharpness. The film brilliantly contrasts the darkness of family scheming with plot elements fuelled by comic intent. Sallie and Barnaby want their father to be famous when he passes away, but they want him more to leave behind art that is valuable.
Director Steven Soderbergh, well-known for films such as Contagion (2011), Traffic (2000), and Logan Lucky (2017), explores this lively comedy-drama with acumen.
This is a film about the nature of art that combines excellent acting with distinctive direction. The movie is highly satirical of the art world. Soderbergh alerts viewers to come to the bargaining table with well-informed conclusions about what exactly is being sold.
The Christophers: Starring Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, James Corden and Jessica Gunning. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. 100 minutes. Rated MA15+. (Strong coarse language).
FILM REVIEW
The Christophers (Reviewed by Peter Sheehan, Australian Catholics)
