Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen make a brilliant pairing in Steven Soderbergh’s incisively witty chamber comedy about art, commerce and avarice. Having all but given up her own art practice, 30-something Lori (Michaela Coel) divides her time between freelance art restoration and working the window of a food truck. Her fortunes promise to change, however, when she’s approached by the estranged heirs (Jessica Gunning and James Corden) of renowned painter Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) with a tantalizing proposition. Lori is to apprehend a series of long-abandoned paintings from Sklar’s London home, complete the paintings using her masterful imitation skills — and receive a third of the profits from the sale of the paintings following the old man’s imminent death. Lori accepts the gig, infiltrating Sklar’s home under the pretense of becoming his new assistant, but the ruse quickly goes awry in a series of titillating twists and shifting allegiances.
“Some things you simply can’t fake. Take talent: There’s no room for anything shy of genius in THE CHRISTOPHERS, a crackling original drama about artistic legacy in all its facets.” —Peter Debruge, Variety “With Ian McKellen in superbly crotchety form and Michaela Coel exuding chilly cunning, it’s further proof that Soderbergh remains one of American cinema’s most inimitable, and adventurous, auteurs.” —Nick Schager, Daily Beast “McKellen has been given a wonderful late-career gift in Steven Soderbergh’s THE CHRISTOPHERS, a role that allows him to deliver one of his best performances in years.” —Gregory Ellwood, The Playlist
