The Critic

Convoluted melodrama from Britain, but with a lot of atmosphere and some splendid acting. Especially from Sir Ian, relishing the opportunity to be front and center at 83, and revealing himself to be spry, enthusiastic, and as mesmerizing an actor as ever. He's Jimmy Erskine, a smug drama critic in 1934 London, powerful and feared, and amused by that. Some staff changes at his newspaper compel him to maneuver to remain on top, and that triggers a blackmail scheme rather more complicated than what screenwriter Patrick Marber ("Closer") probably intended. But it does afford some good opportunities for Gemma Arterton, as an ambitious actor who gets caught up in his web, and Mark Strong, as the paper's wealthy new editor, who conjures up some sympathy even as he plays a philandering cad. The 1934 ambience is strong and expert, with some particularly eye-filling interiors, and the morality of the day-Erskine is gay, with an attractive young secretary/custodian, and wants to have his fun even as he's aware of how dangerous that can be-is presented unflinchingly. In the end it's rather conventional and somewhat predictable, and the pacing isn't all it could be. But you'll love watching McKellen, and appreciate the pithiness of some of the dialogue.