NPR Review: Steven Soderbergh's 'The Christophers' is a Witty Tale of Forgery
NPR film critic Justin Chang reviews Steven Soderbergh's latest dark comedy, 'The Christophers,' describing it as a terrific and witty chamber piece. The film stars Michaela Coel as Lori Butler, a skilled art restorer who infiltrates the London townhouse of famous painter Julian Sklar, played by Ian McKellen. Hired by Sklar's greedy adult children, Lori's mission is to locate and complete unfinished portraits of Sklar's former lover, Christopher, to forge valuable artworks for future sale. Despite moral qualms and personal grievances against her employer, financial necessity drives Lori to accept the job. The review highlights Soderbergh's nimble direction and his consistent ability to blend quality with quantity, comparing his current productivity to the old Hollywood studio system. Chang praises the sharp dialogue and the dynamic between Coel and McKellen, noting the film's twists and its keen attention to the characters' economic struggles. Set primarily in Sklar's ramshackle home, the movie explores themes of art, deception, and friendship through a lens of heist-like tension and comedic reversals, confirming Soderbergh's status as a uniquely versatile American director.
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NPR Review: Steven Soderbergh's 'The Christophers' is a Witty Tale of Forgery
NPR film critic Justin Chang reviews Steven Soderbergh's latest dark comedy, 'The Christophers,' describing it as a terrific and witty chamber piece. The film stars Michaela Coel as Lori Butler, a skilled art restorer who infiltrates the London townhouse of famous painter Julian Sklar, played by Ian McKellen. Hired by Sklar's greedy adult children, Lori's mission is to locate and complete unfinished portraits of Sklar's former lover, Christopher, to forge valuable artworks for future sale. Despite moral qualms and personal grievances against her employer, financial necessity drives Lori to accept the job. The review highlights Soderbergh's nimble direction and his consistent ability to blend quality with quantity, comparing his current productivity to the old Hollywood studio system. Chang praises the sharp dialogue and the dynamic between Coel and McKellen, noting the film's twists and its keen attention to the characters' economic struggles. Set primarily in Sklar's ramshackle home, the movie explores themes of art, deception, and friendship through a lens of heist-like tension and comedic reversals, confirming Soderbergh's status as a uniquely versatile American director.
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