Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel give more than a masterclass : NPR
NPR • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Steven Soderbergh's latest film, The Christophers, is a dramedy exploring themes of artistic legacy through the story of aging painter Julian Sklar, played by Ian McKellen.
- Sklar, once a celebrated artist, now struggles with fading fame and supports himself by recording personalized messages, while his children scheme to pass off unfinished sketches as valuable early works.
- Art restorer Lori Butler, portrayed by Michaela Coel, is recruited to complete these sketches, leading to a narrative filled with hidden agendas, blackmail, and betrayal.
- The film contrasts McKellen's blustering Sklar with Coel's reserved Lori, focusing on their complex dynamic and deeper questions about artistry, authorship, and legacy.
- Departing from flashy filmmaking, Soderbergh emphasizes performance and character interaction, delivering a thoughtful meditation on the nature of art and its enduring impact.
