Home / Arts and Entertainment / McKellen, Coel Duel in Soderbergh's Witty Art Caper
McKellen, Coel Duel in Soderbergh's Witty Art Caper
14 May
Summary
- Steven Soderbergh directs a London-set film on art value.
- Ian McKellen plays an irascible, aging artist with wit.
- Michaela Coel stars as his enigmatic assistant with hidden motives.
Steven Soderbergh has crafted a vibrant and humorous film set in London, exploring themes of artistic value and attribution.
The narrative centers on Julian Sklar, an aging and curmudgeonly painter of the School of London, brought to life by Ian McKellen. Sklar resides in a chaotic Bloomsbury townhouse, prone to sharp, witty outbursts.
American screenwriter Ed Solomons penned the sharp screenplay, showcasing a remarkable ability to capture authentic Englishness, a feat previously associated with directors like Paul Thomas Anderson and Robert Altman.
Michaela Coel shines as Lori Butler, Julian's former art student assistant. Hired by his greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Dunning), Lori's task is to locate a series of "The Christophers" paintings from the 1990s.
Lori's true motives remain ambiguous; she may be an ally or an adversary to Julian, skillfully navigating his decline while displaying impressive pastiche skills. The dynamic between McKellen and Coel is described as the onscreen chemistry of the year.
