The Christophers | Dir: Stephen Soderbergh | ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Sir Ian McKellen takes centre stage in Steven Soderbergh’s dramedy as the artist Julian Sklar, and he has found a worthy adversary for his sarcastic, caustic commentaries. Michaela Coel, as fellow artist Lori Butler, is steadfast and deadpan, tolerating Julian’s tirades while delivering her own cutting humour.
Lori has been hired by Julian’s two estranged children, played by Jessica Gunning and James Corden, to act as an assistant to their ailing, elderly father. Her task is to catalogue the once-renowned artist’s works, which gives her access to his paintings, particularly a series of unfinished works titled The Christophers.
Lori, whose skill set includes being a dab hand at forging, has in fact been hired by the greedy offspring to finish The Christophers, which have stood abandoned in the attic for decades, so they can be sold for a fortune after their father dies.
The power dynamics shift back and forth as Lori and Julian play a cat-and-mouse game in the rambling three-storey double townhouse in central London. Along the way, the audience is treated to the backstories of the main characters.
Lori eventually reveals that her initial reason for taking the job was vengeance. Julian, meanwhile, loses his filibuster and becomes vulnerable over the loss of his great love, and with it, his will to paint.
There is a striking contrast between the cluttered darkness of Julian’s cramped living quarters and the light-drenched studio spaces of the adjoining townhouse. Julian is weighed down by life’s disappointments, while Lori, despite her own setbacks, continues to look forward with positivity and determination.
The film is saturated with intrigue and double crossings, keeping the audience guessing as to which eventualities will prevail.
First-look screenings of The Christophers will take place on Sunday 31 May at Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Windsor and Luna SX.
Lezly Herbert
