Spy. Bridesmaids. The Heat. Mention Melissa McCarthy, and these are likely the films that come to mind. Mainstream action-comedies that are big on laughs, but absent of compelling storytelling. McCarthy settles too comfortably into these roles, and upon the release of The Happytime Murders, we wonder if she’s capable of doing more.

Then comes Can You Ever Forgive Me?

It’s a film about a grouchy has-been author, Lee Israel played by McCarthy, and her struggle through life with no money and no friends until she decides to use her writing ability to embellish and sell letters from prominent authors.

While you might guess where the story goes from there, director Marielle Heller keeps Lee’s journey jazzed up.

But it’s McCarthy and Richard E Grant who make this film about a grouch unexpectedly charming. When McCarthy chuckles, the audience does too. When she's nervous, so is the audience. And when she cries, it’s best to have a tissue ready. And Grant co-piloting elevates the film’s entertainment value to fabulous heights.

Lee’s agent reminds her that the biography Lee wants to write next isn’t “hot and sexy.” Well, neither is this movie, but it turns out both are still pretty damn great.

Acting and Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer's Preference - 2 | What does this mean?