Melissa McCarthy detours from her broad comedy films to a more somber role as author Lee Israel, a “blocked” writer who stumbles upon a way to survive by creating fake celebrity letters. Her character isn’t especially likable or pleasant, but McCarthy manages to make her appealing. Her friendship with an equally-acerbic man (a delightful Richard E. Grant), brings moments of levity to an otherwise unhappy life. Since it’s obvious where the plot will take us, it’s up to the actors and director Marielle Heller to make this film an enjoyable insight in this real person’s skilled mind and stunted heart. They all succeed.
(4 / 5)