Jimmy Erskine (out actor Sir Ian McKellen) is the titular character in “The Critic” (Greenwich Entertainment), now available on DVD, the feared and reviled drama critic for The Daily Chronicle, a “right-wing rag” in early 1930s London. Openly queer at a time when it was risky to be, he lives with Tom (Alfred Enoch of the “Harry Potter” franchise), who is both his lover and secretary.
Brooke (Mark Strong), the son of the Chronicle’s late publisher, is the man’s man now running the show. He’s on a mission to “economize,” trimming the fat to restore the publication to its most-read family newspaper status. Jimmy is among the “old guard” who risk being canned if they don’t show loyalty to the cause.
Bitchy Jimmy is tolerated by Brooke, but his relentlessly negative reviews of actress Nina (Gemma Arterton), of whom Brooke is quite fond, lead the critic being told to “tone it down.” Brooke isn’t the only one who confronts Jimmy. Nina’s meddling mother Annabel (the ubiquitous Lesley Manville) and even Nina herself take him to task.
Meanwhile, insecure Nina has even more on her mind, including her affair with hot portraitist Stephen (Ben Barnes), who happens to be married to Cora (Romola Garai), the daughter of Brooke! But wait, there’s more! After a drunken Jimmy and Tom are arrested and jailed for performing an “indecent act in a public place,” Brooke forces Jimmy to agree to take an early retirement.
Vengeful as ever, and certain that “all men have secrets,” Jimmy sets out to destroy Brooke. His devious plan involves Nina seducing Brooke so that Jimmy can blackmail him. Nina agrees when Jimmy promises to forever praise her future acting work, guaranteeing her a long career on the stage, as well as entrée into society, invitations to parties, and the whole shebang.
Brooke becomes besotted with Nina. Tom expresses his disapproval to Jimmy about his nefarious plan. Stephen continues to pine for Nina, even though she refuses his ongoing advances. Cora, aware of the affair, throws Stephen out of her house.
In what becomes the turning point, Brooke and Stephen meet for lunch, possibly providing the father-in-law an opportunity to talk some sense into his son-in-law. It is during this meal that Stephen reveals that Nina is the woman with whom he is having an affair. Brooke, smitten with Nina, does everything in his power not to let the shock and disappointment show on his face.
After this, there is a series of deaths (a suicide and a murder), and “The Critic” takes an increasingly dark turn. There is even something of a surprise twist involving Tom.
McKellen was born to play this role, as he imbues Jimmy with an ice-cold heart and an acid tongue. It’s hard to imagine another actor in the role. The rest of the cast is certainly serviceable, but all told, “The Critic,” directed by Anand Tucker, may hardly register with audiences.
Rating: B-
