Her greatest work will be her biggest crime.|Oct. 19, 2018|United States|107 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Crime;Drama
Description: “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” is a 2018 American biographical film directed by Marielle Heller, with a screenplay by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty. It is based on the 2008 memoir of the same name by Lee Israel. The story follows Lee Israel, played by Melissa McCarthy, as she attempts to revive her failing writing career by forging letters from deceased authors and playwrights. The film also stars Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Jane Curtin, Anna Deavere Smith, Stephen Spinella, and Ben Falcone in supporting roles. The title is derived from an apologetic line in a forged letter attributed to Dorothy Parker.
Set in 1991, the film portrays Lee Israel’s struggles after the critical and commercial failure of her biography of Estée Lauder. Facing financial difficulties, writer’s block, and alcoholism, Lee plans to write a biography of comedienne Fanny Brice, but her agent, Marjorie, dismisses the idea, blaming Lee’s difficult personality for her career decline. Unable to secure an advance for a new book, Lee resorts to selling her personal belongings, including a letter from Katharine Hepburn, to make ends meet.
While researching Fanny Brice at a Manhattan library, Lee discovers two typewritten letters by Brice and decides to forge them. She adds a postscript to one of the letters, which she then sells to a local autograph dealer named Anna. Anna, amused by the forged content, offers Lee $350. The film explores Lee’s descent into forgery and her complex relationship with her friend Jack Hock as she navigates her dire circumstances.
Cast director: Marielle Heller
Cast actor: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E. Grant, Dolly Wells, Ben Falcone, Gregory Korostishevsky, Jane Curtin, Stephen Spinella, Christian Navarro, Pun Bandhu, Erik LaRay Harvey
Original name: Can You Ever Forgive Me?