Can You Ever Forgive Me?

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2:34

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

R

2018

1h 46m

Biography

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

318 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Lee Israel is a frustrated, hard-drinking author who can barely afford to pay her rent or bills in the 1990s New York. Desperate for money, Israel soon hatches a scheme to forge letters by famous writers and sell them to bookstores and collectors. When the dealers start to catch on, Lee recruits a dubious friend to help her continue her self-destructive cycle of trickery and deceit.

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Critics Consensus

Deftly directed and laced with dark wit, Can You Ever Forgive Me? proves a compelling showcase for deeply affecting work from Richard E. Grant and Melissa McCarthy.

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Charlotte O'Sullivan

London Evening Standard

Feb 4, 2019

4/5

This film takes an altogether different view of the imitation game. By embracing frauds and failures, it achieves greatness on the sly.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Feb 3, 2019

4/5

As for McCarthy, her performance is less of a revelation than a confirmation of her talents.

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Cath Clarke

The Big Issue

Feb 1, 2019

4/5

Israel is anti-social and aggressive but you do find yourself rooting for her.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 14, 2024

It’s often a tragic tale, but it’s also funny, charming and bittersweet in all the right ways. Here’s hoping it resonates as strongly with creators of all kinds everywhere.

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Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

Dec 7, 2022

Melissa McCarthy turns in a great performance as the grouchy writer and Richard Grant is terrific as her gay sidekick.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

3/5

McCarthy and Grant have really nice chemistry and that makes for some entertaining back-and-forths between two otherwise shady people.

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Jens B

@Jens97 Aug 9, 2026

I wouldn't have believed it myself, but Melissa McCarthy can actually act when she wants to. What a wonderful film about a life that is, in itself, not particularly remarkable—full of bad decisions and missed opportunities. Bonus points for the cat and Richard E. Grant!

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Brad CKA L

@RT22936844 Nov 26, 2024

Plagiarism isn't funny folks! Melissa McCarthy might be one of the great comedic presences of her generation, but that doesn't make plagiarism funny, dang it! Richard E Grant and that cat on the other hand... pretty funny. Check out my longer review: https://youtu.be/Pb1DfCo-sXM?si=fCewFcZpoffcK6PO

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Kellie G

@RT51701606 Sep 15, 2024

Melissa McCarthy gives a phenomenal speech. Richard E Grant is marvelous in support. The film itself is better than many typical vehicles for strong female performances

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Nik T

@Nikita66 Aug 9, 2024

Great movie, one of my favorites. Nothing extreme, just a 100% realistic story of desperation and crooked creativity.

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Apr 12, 2024

Decent movie but very slow. Based on a true and one of the few I didn’t flat out love. But this was also about something that doesn’t really interest me.

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Alec B

@Alec97 Jan 5, 2024

Lee Israel is the perfect subject for a movie like this. You can't sensationalize the story because her crimes were so esoteric so you have to probe deeper and the results are far more fascinating. McCarthy and Grant are just terrific and the screenplay is filled with wit.

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Marielle Heller

Director

Melissa McCarthy

Lee Israel

Richard E. Grant

Jack Hock

Dolly Wells

Anna

Ben Falcone

Alan Schmidt

Gregory Korostishevsky

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Synopsis

Lee Israel is a frustrated, hard-drinking author who can barely afford to pay her rent or bills in the 1990s New York. Desperate for money, Israel soon hatches a scheme to forge letters by famous writers and sell them to bookstores and collectors. When the dealers start to catch on, Lee recruits a dubious friend to help her continue her self-destructive cycle of trickery and deceit.

Director: Marielle Heller
Producer: Anne Carey, Amy Nauiokas, David Yarnell
Screenwriter: Nicole Holofcener, Jeff Whitty
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Archer Gray
Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 19, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.8M
Runtime: 1h 46m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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