United Kingdom, 2024 / 101 Mins
Director: Anand Tucker
Starring: Ian McKellen, Gemma Arterton, Lesley Manville, Ben Barnes.
LONDON,1934. David Brooke has recently inherited his father’s title and a national institution: The Daily Chronicle. Unlike his father, Brooke is a reformer and immediately makes changes to compete with rival newspaper, The Daily Mail. The new Chronicle will be patriotic, embrace family values and end its support for Oswald Mosley’s British fascists.
Jimmy Erskine is the most famous and feared theatre critic of the age. He’s worked at the paper for more than half a lifetime. Jimmy has the power to make or break careers; he’s an influencer and tastemaker par excellence. His portrait is being painted by the leading painter in the field: Stephen Wyley. Jimmy’s position and status is seemingly secure.
However, Jimmy doesn’t fit in with Brooke’s new vision; he’s no family man and his colourful behaviour and outspoken manner soon land him in trouble. In particular, Brooke is infuriated by Jimmy’s cruel notice for a young actress, Nina Land. Brooke issues a final warning, which Jimmy ignores. Picked up by the police for drunken, unruly behaviour, Jimmy - to his horror - is fired with two month’s notice.
Nina Land has given her life to her steady but not starry career. Without Jimmy Erskine’s approval, it’s very hard to make it. One afternoon, in drunken desperation, Nina confronts Jimmy with her fury and frustration. To their mutual surprise, they begin to form a bond. Whilst reviewing Nina in Twelfth Night, Jimmy notices that Brooke is unusually moved by the actress’s performance, in fact tears stream down his face. A conversation with Brooke in the interval confirms Jimmy’s suspicions: Brooke is in love. At last, Jimmy has an opportunity to get his job back. He writes Nina the glowing review she has, for so long, wanted and arranges to meet her for lunch. But Jimmy’s praise comes at a price: he will guarantee her the glittering career she craves if, in return, she will do him a little ‘favour’. She must sleep with David Brooke.
Jimmy Erskine is the most famous and feared theatre critic of the age. He’s worked at the paper for more than half a lifetime. Jimmy has the power to make or break careers; he’s an influencer and tastemaker par excellence. His portrait is being painted by the leading painter in the field: Stephen Wyley. Jimmy’s position and status is seemingly secure.
However, Jimmy doesn’t fit in with Brooke’s new vision; he’s no family man and his colourful behaviour and outspoken manner soon land him in trouble. In particular, Brooke is infuriated by Jimmy’s cruel notice for a young actress, Nina Land. Brooke issues a final warning, which Jimmy ignores. Picked up by the police for drunken, unruly behaviour, Jimmy - to his horror - is fired with two month’s notice.
Nina Land has given her life to her steady but not starry career. Without Jimmy Erskine’s approval, it’s very hard to make it. One afternoon, in drunken desperation, Nina confronts Jimmy with her fury and frustration. To their mutual surprise, they begin to form a bond. Whilst reviewing Nina in Twelfth Night, Jimmy notices that Brooke is unusually moved by the actress’s performance, in fact tears stream down his face. A conversation with Brooke in the interval confirms Jimmy’s suspicions: Brooke is in love. At last, Jimmy has an opportunity to get his job back. He writes Nina the glowing review she has, for so long, wanted and arranges to meet her for lunch. But Jimmy’s praise comes at a price: he will guarantee her the glittering career she craves if, in return, she will do him a little ‘favour’. She must sleep with David Brooke.