New movie The Critic, starring Ian McKellen as the West End’s most feared theatre critic in 1930’s London, is getting a UK cinema release.
Produced by the late Bill Kenwright’s BK Studios, The Critic will have a wide UK theatrical release in Autumn 2024.
The movie is based on Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call, and is directed by Anand Tucker (Shopgirl, Hilary & Jackie), and adapted by Oscar-winning screenwriter, playwright and directed Patrick Marber (Notes on a Scandal, Nachtland at the Young Vic).
The Critic got positive reviews when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) – read a reviews round-up here.
The film’s all-star cast is headlined by Sir Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings, X-Men), who is about to star in the West End, as Sir John Falstaff in new show Player Kings, based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2.
McKellen is joined in The Critic by Gemma Arterton (The King’s Man, Funny Woman), Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone), Alfred Enoch (How To Get Away With Murder, The Couple Next Door), Romola Garai (One Life, Scoop), Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris), Nikish Patel (Starstruck, The Devil’s Hour) and Mark Strong (1917, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).
The movie will be distributed by True Brit Entertainment, the new theatrical distributor founded by Zygi Kamasa, who was recently Group CEO of Matthew Vaughn’s Marv Studios.
The Critic is a thrilling story of ambition, blackmail, and desire.
Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is the most feared theatre critic of the age. His newspaper’s new owner, David Brooke (Mark Strong), stands for patriotism and family values. It’s not long before Brooke fires Erskine for his outrageous behaviour and opinions, in particular a savage review of actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton). Erskine picks up on this cue and exploits the opportunity to get his job back. He writes a glowing review for Nina, promises her a glittering career, but in return she must do him a favour which has devastating consequences.
True Brit Entertainment Founder, Zygi Kamasa, said in a statement: “I set up True Brit Entertainment to celebrate British filmmaking, and in ‘The Critic’, Anand Tucker and the producers have assembled an all-star cast for this wonderful period drama, set in the heart of the 1930s West End.”
David Gilbery, CEO of BK Studios said: “Following its premiere at TIFF last year, we’ve continued to work on the film to really honour the wonderful performances of our stellar cast. I’m thrilled to be partnering with True Brit Entertainment for this upcoming release of ‘The Critic’, and can’t wait for audiences to see the film when it arrives in cinemas later this year”.
The movie’s music is by Craig Armstrong, Cinematographer is David Higgs, Editor Beverley Mills, Production Designer Lucienne Suren, Costume Designer Claire Finlay-Thompson, and also produced by Jolyon Symonds for Fearless Minds.
Lesley Manville and Mark Strong are set to also star together on the London stage in Autumn 2024, starring in Oedipus at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London.
Book tickets to Players Kings starring Ian McKellen
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