Fox Searchlight Film Review - Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) is in one of the worst predicaments possible. She has name recognition as published biographer dating back to the 70's & 80's but she is broke. She's trying to pitch her latest one on vaudeville notary Fanny Brice. However at present in 1991 New York City she has been working as a copy editor with co-workers half her age that talk behind their back dreading the possibility still doing the job at Lee' age.  She lives in an old world apartment that she rarely cleans. Her cat Jersey her only true friend is ill and in need of treatment but her owner is unable to pay the current tab at the vet.

While researching her Fanny Brice project Lee she comes across a couple of letters from her subject tucked in a book. She takes them and sells them to a bookstore for a decent fee. The buyer Anna (Dolly Wells) indicates that something similar with a bit more personal touch could fetch a larger sum. Desperate and with little to nothing to loose Israel grabs typewriters from the eras of her literary targets to write postscripts from the grave to letters from the likes of Noel Coward and Dorothy Parker learning that collectors will pay more than the equivalent of one month's rent for the pieces. What she calls embellishing the buyer, collector and authorities would instead use the word forgery.

Director Marielle Heller handles the material and her star performer well. Melissa McCarthy is given free reign to wallow in her curmudgeonly ways, disheveled attire while slinging whiskey like an alcoholic day drinker. Nicole Holofcener co-wrote the piece featuring an unlikeable main character that pushes everyone away even those that she needs to get her next work published. But the narrative gets to the inner core of Lee who has a good heart is incredibly trusting once she lets you in and is ultimately willing to take responsibility for her actions.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a film that takes its title from a quote from one Lee's heroes Dorothy Parker. Melissa McCarthy turns in her impeccable comedic timing for a biting bordering on cruel sharp wit. Richard E. Grant shines riding shotgun as literary circle notable Jack Hock trying desperately to hold onto what's left of his good looks, romantic charm and name recognition. Dolly Wells is touching as the vulnerable bookshop owner Anna who gives Lee her first sale and willing despite the formers attitude and appearance to explore a deeper relationship.

*** 1/2 Out of 4.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? | Marielle Heller | U.S.A. | 2018 | 106 Minutes.

Tags: Lee Israel, Biographer, Whiskey, Forgery, Noel Coward, Dorothy Parker, Memoir, Agent, Publisher, Yale, Archives.