Can You Ever Forgive Me? Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A broke biographer starts writing fanfiction for dead celebrities and accidentally becomes a criminal.

🍿 Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Lee Israel

The film introduces Lee Israel, a struggling biographer in 1990s New York City. Once a successful writer, Lee’s career has taken a downturn due to her abrasive personality and the changing tastes of the publishing world. Faced with mounting bills and a lack of opportunities, she’s on the verge of financial ruin.

The Discovery of Forgery

While researching a new biography on Fanny Brice, Lee stumbles upon a lucrative opportunity. Discovering the value of celebrity letters, she begins forging correspondence from deceased writers like Dorothy Parker and Noel Coward. Her talent for mimicking their styles allows her to create convincing forgeries, which she sells to collectors and bookstores.

Partnership with Jack Hock

Lee forms an unlikely alliance with Jack Hock, a charismatic but down-on-his-luck acquaintance. Jack becomes her accomplice, helping her sell the forged letters and navigate the shady world of literary memorabilia. Their friendship deepens as they bond over their shared outsider status and financial struggles.

Rising Suspicions

As Lee’s forgeries become more elaborate, suspicions begin to arise within the literary community. Collectors and dealers question the authenticity of her letters, and the FBI starts to investigate. Lee and Jack find themselves increasingly under pressure as their scheme unravels.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy): A struggling and misanthropic biographer who resorts to forging and selling letters from deceased literary figures to make ends meet.
• Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant): Lee’s charismatic but unreliable friend and accomplice in her forgery scheme, also struggling with his own personal demons.
• Anna (Dolly Wells): A kind and genuine bookstore owner who develops a connection with Lee, unaware of her fraudulent activities.
• Marjorie (Jane Curtin): Lee’s literary agent, who is increasingly frustrated by Lee’s difficult personality and lack of success.
• Alan Schmidt (Ben Falcone): A collector of literary letters who initially buys forgeries from Lee and later attempts to blackmail her.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Lee Israel: “I’m a better Dorothy Parker than Dorothy Parker.” – Lee says this to Jack when asserting her talent for forging letters, highlighting her ability to capture Parker’s voice.
• Lee Israel: “I’m 51 years old and I like cats more than people.” – This line succinctly captures Lee’s misanthropic nature and her preference for feline companionship.
• Lee Israel: “This is me, fucking using the typewriter.” – Lee says this when she is having writer’s block and can’t come up with anything to write.
• Lee Israel: “I don’t actually feel remorseful. I felt so happy writing them.” – Lee says this in court when she is addressing the judge.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $8,803,865
• Worldwide Gross: $12,442,161

💥 Can You Ever Forgive Me? Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie. Melissa McCarthy was incredible! I was so used to her comedy, but she nailed the role. Richard E. Grant was amazing too, and their chemistry was perfect. The movie made me feel so many things – sadness, humor, and a strange sense of connection with these flawed characters. There’s a scene where Lee is at the bar with Jack, and they’re just talking honestly about their lives, that was so poignant. This film isn’t just entertaining; it’s a real piece of art.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant”
  • “Viewers interested in literary history and true crime stories”
  • “Those who enjoy character-driven dramas with a touch of dark humor”
  • “People who appreciate films set in New York City”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Alcohol and drug use”
  • “Some sexual references”
  • “Themes of fraud and moral ambiguity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Melissa McCarthy delivers a career-defining performance as Lee Israel, capturing the character’s caustic wit and vulnerability. Richard E. Grant shines as her partner in crime, creating a compelling and darkly humorous dynamic.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Marielle Heller directs with a keen eye for detail, immersing the audience in 1990s New York. McCarthy and Grant are phenomenal, elevating the material with their nuanced portrayals of two flawed individuals finding solace in each other.
• The New York Times: “A sharp and witty script combined with stellar performances make ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ a standout. The film explores themes of loneliness and artistic integrity with humor and heart.

Audience Reactions

Melissa McCarthy’s performance was outstanding, showing a completely different side of her acting abilities.: Viewers praised Melissa McCarthy’s dramatic turn, with many calling it her best performance.

The chemistry between Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant was captivating, making their characters feel real and relatable.: Fans loved the dynamic between Lee and Jack, highlighting the humor and depth of their unlikely friendship.

Overall Consensus: A critically acclaimed film praised for its excellent performances, sharp writing, and exploration of complex themes.

Awards

1. BAFTA Award (Best Supporting Actor)- 2019

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Julianne Moore was originally cast as Lee Israel but was fired due to creative differences with the director. Melissa McCarthy was then recommended by her husband, Ben Falcone.”
• “The movie was filmed in real New York City locations, including the actual Julius’ bar, a historic gay bar where Lee Israel and Jack Hock frequented.”
• “The filmmakers aimed for a realistic portrayal of 1990s New York, avoiding overly stylized depictions and focusing on the city’s grit and seediness.”

🖥️ How to Watch Can You Ever Forgive Me??

As of October 2024, ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for current availability, as offerings can change. You can also find it on demand through cable providers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Can You Ever Forgive Me?, you might like these similar films:

• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999): Both films explore themes of identity theft, deception, and the lengths people will go to escape their circumstances, although Ripley is more suspenseful and glamorous.
• American Hustle (2013): Features charismatic con artists engaging in elaborate schemes, with a focus on character dynamics and a 1970s setting.
• Ed Wood (1994): Like Lee Israel, Ed Wood is an outsider driven by passion despite a lack of talent, pursuing his dreams with unwavering, delusional enthusiasm.
• Cold Souls (2009): Explores the theme of artistic integrity and the lengths to which artists might go to create compelling work.

🛒 Can You Ever Forgive Me? Related Products

• Can You Ever Forgive Me?: Memoirs of a Literary Forger by Lee Israel: The original memoir by Lee Israel that inspired the movie, offering a firsthand account of her life as a literary forger.
• Dorothy Parker: Complete Stories: A collection of short stories by Dorothy Parker, one of the authors Lee Israel impersonates in the film, that shows her distinctive wit and humor.
• Typewriter Repair Kit – Vintage Typewriter Restoration: A restoration kit for typewriters, enabling fans to acquire and care for vintage typewriters like the ones used in the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Can You Ever Forgive Me? features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Thought Of You Last Night” – performed by Jeri Southern

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why Daniel Day-Lewis ignored Richard E. Grant | Dish Podcast | Waitrose

Richard E. Grant spills the beans on his experiences, including some juicy insights about ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’. You won’t believe who completely ignored him!

Melissa McCarthy’s Parents Met Judge Judy and FREAKED OUT

Melissa McCarthy chats about ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ on Jimmy Kimmel, and her story about her parents meeting Judge Judy is hilarious! You’ve GOT to hear this.

Melissa McCarthy on “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”

Ever wonder how Melissa McCarthy transformed into Lee Israel? This CBS Sunday Morning interview dives deep into her acting process and her thoughts on the character. It’s surprisingly insightful!

Quickie: Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Wildlife #TIFF18

Want a quick but insightful take on ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’? This review breaks down what works and what doesn’t in just a few minutes. You might be surprised by the verdict!

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