THE CHRISTOPHERS

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Storyline (warning: spoilers)

It’s a privilege for audiences to still see 87-year-old British actor Ian McKellen showcasing his talents. He first appeared on stage in 1961 and the decades to follow, he’s become a recognisable name thanks to work in theatre, television and film. Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, McKellen has been nominated for two Tony Awards (winning for Amadeus), five Emmy Awards, and two Oscars.
The Christophers is the latest feature from Academy Award winning director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) and sees McKellen play the fictional Julian Sklar, an acclaimed painter whose best days are behind him. His old works have been sold by art traders for seven-figure sums, but it’s been many years since he churned out anything new. Julian now lives alone in a multi-story home, cluttered with photos and memorabilia, and makes a meagre living recording paid video messages for fans. You can tell McKellen is having fun in portraying the character as a rambling, cheeky curmudgeon.
The narrative needs drama and it arrives in the form of Julian’s two grown offspring, played by James Corden (Gavin and Stacey) and Jessica Cunning (Baby Reindeer). Knowing their father doesn’t have long to live, they have their eye on nine unfinished paintings in his studio which could be sold for millions. Julian has no intention of completing the canvases and this has infuriated his money-driven children who are one-eyed in thinking about their future inheritance.
Hence, they have employed a gifted art restorer, Lori Butler (Coel), to become Julian’s new assistant. They’ve asked her to sneakily access the unfinished canvases and use her artistic talents to complete them. Lori is uncomfortable about the request but realising she can make much-needed money out of the job, she takes it on. As information spills into the open during the film’s second half, the power dynamics start to shift…