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A prominent London theater critic faces danger as he uncovers a conspiracy linked to deceit and murder in the arts world.
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Academy Award Nominee Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings, The Good Liar) stars as a powerful London theater critic who lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme with deadly consequences. A suspenseful thriller co-starring Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace), Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Lesley Manville (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris).
"The Critic is a film set in London in 1934, and as its title suggests, it follows a respected theater critic (Ian McKellen) whose position is threatened when his sexual preferences are discovered, leading the new boss at the newspaper to fire him. He then forms an alliance with a young actress (Gemma Arterton) to regain his job, but the plot of seduction, desire, and crime will have deadly consequences. This film explores the old power dynamics between the media, critics or journalists, and artists, as well as the ability of that same power to corrupt individuals. While the drama itself may not be particularly captivating, the performances by the stellar cast, including Mark Strong and Lesley Manville, certainly are."