Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a biographical film directed by Marielle Heller. The screenplay is by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty, based on Lee Israel’s 2008 memoir of the same name. Can You Ever Forgive Me? tells the true story of a writer who has fallen on hard times and turns to illegal methods of making ends meet. This movie has flown way under the radar, as it appears to have been looked on as the book Lee Israel wrote in the movie. I’m so glad I got to see Can You Ever Forgive Me? it’s truly a block buster in it’s own right.
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Following the critical and commercial failure of her biography of Estée Lauder, author Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) is struggling with financial troubles, writer’s block and alcoholism. Because her agent Marjorie (Jane Curtain), is unable to secure Lee with an advance for a new biography, she is forced to find another way to make money. Lee lugs a ton of heavy books to a pawn shop for books but can only get $2.00 and some nasty attitude for all her effort. Further, her beloved cat is sick and needs medication. Lee decides to sell a personal letter she received from Katharine Hepburn to Anna (Dolly Wells), a local book dealer in order to cover her expenses.
While at the library conducting research about Fanny Brice, for a novel she’s planning to write, Lee happens upon an actual letter from Ms. Brice folded in the book. She swipes the letter and offers to sell it to Anna, who can’t give much due to the letter’s lack of interesting content. That’s when Lee begins to forge and sell letters by deceased writers, playwrights and actors, by embellishing them with juicy, intimate details that command a higher price. Anna, who is a fan of Lee’s writing as an author, attempts to initiate a relationship with her. Lee being very private and unfriendly most of the time, rejects the relationship with Anna.
When one of Lee’s letters written by Noël Coward raises suspicion for its unguarded discussion of his sexuality, she is blacklisted by her buyers. Unable to sell the forgeries herself, she has her new best friend, Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant) sell the letters for her. While Lee was away attempting to enhance her forgery business, she trusted Jack to take care of her apartment and her cat. Upon her return, she ends their relationship after finding her apartment trashed and her cat dead. Later Jack and Lee are served with a court summons by the FBI for forgery.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? is based on a true story and presents a nice change and a nice rest from all the action movies. There are times when you think Lee is going to do something predictable, then surprised when she does something totally opposite. Although I’ve told much of the story, I’ve also left out much of the story. Melissa McCarthy has given a fantastic performance if not her best performance. She is completely believable and convincing as the writer, Lee Israel. Richard E. Grant was absolutely brilliant as Jack Hock, a friendly gay man with a secret. I was thoroughly entertained and learned a thing or two about the world of authentic letter buying. For me, this movie is what going to the movies is all about. Excellent story — Brilliant acting — Check It Out!
[Can You Ever Forgive Me? is Oscar nominated for Best: Actress, Supporting Actor and Adapted Screenplay]
It took a lot of focus to get into Wild, as I found it pretty boring at first. Reese Witherspoon is playing Cheryl Strayed a young wife, sister, daughter and substance abuser who is trying to get hold of her life by hiking, on her own volition, through the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Wild is based on the memoirs of Cheryl Strayed who’s life spiraled out of control when her mother died of Cancer and her marriage failed, causing Cheryl to lose all hope. The hike starts from the Mexican border through the Mojave Desert to the Canadian border, which she later changed to Oregon’s Bridge of the Gods. We see Cheryl wearing a monstrous nap sack on her back, heavier than Reese herself. The hike will take 3 months and cover more than 1,000 miles. There’s a lot of flash backs depicting Cheryl’s life with her family, including her mother, who was a teacher named Bobbi, played by Laura Dern. Day 1 of her journey, in an apprehensive state of mind, Cheryl is wondering what she’s done by starting this endeavor. She reminds herself that she can quit anytime. After setting up in the wilderness, tent and all, she writes in her journal, reads a book and reflects on her past, showing us where she came from. Things really become challenging when night falls, as the only light comes from her small flash light. As if things are not bad enough, she drops a boot down a rocky path, then throws the other boot down the same path while screaming at the top of her lungs. Her toe nails keep falling off and she’s in plenty of pain because her boots are too small. She meets up with other PCT hikers who offer help from time to time. Cheryl’s journey includes hitchhiking, personal hygiene issues and reflection on her failed 7 year marriage to Paul played by Thomas Sadoski. Cheryl also has a brother named Leaf played by Keene McRae who is an intricate part of her life. Wild is 1 hour and 55 minutes of pure Reese Witherspoon at her very best, to date. In the end, producer, 
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