We loved this true story of a woman who forged and stole letters by literary icons and sold them when she had rough times in 1990s New York.
Melissa McCarthy (last blogged for Ghostbusters) is a triumph in a departure from her usual slapstick roles. I would say she "played it straight," but her character Lee Israel is an alcoholic lesbian, wearing ill-fitting men's jackets on her curvy frame. As Israel's friend Jack Hock, Richard E. Grant (most recently in Their Finest) is a delightful foil to her witty petulance. Dolly Wells (her actual friendship with actress Emily Mortimer was parodied in twelve episodes of Doll & Em (2013-15), among Wells' many credits) is sweet as one of the buyers duped by Israel, and Jane Curtin (last in The Spy Who Dumped Me) is terrific as Israel's socialite agent.
Director Marielle Heller (most recently helmed The Diary of a Teenage Girl) works from a screenplay, adapted from Israel's 2008 memoir, by Nicole Holofcener (last wrote (and directed) Enough Said) and Jeff Whitty (his screenwriting debut -- he wrote the book for the Broadway musical Avenue Q, and more). Not having read the book, I can't tell you how many witticisms were written by Israel and how many by Holofcener and Whitty, but the script sparkles.
The New Yorker magazine's review (as always, filled with spoilers) mentions the various Manhattan locations reflecting the time and place, including bookstores (Argosy, Westsider, the Housing Works Bookstore Café, and Logos) and a gay bar (Julius').
There are lots of songs (listed here) as well as original music by the director's brother Nate Heller (The Diary of a Teenage Girl). The 15 track album is available at all the expected outlets and can be streamed on spotify.
You don't need Jack and me to recommend this Oscar bait when Rotten Tomatoes' critics are averaging 98% and its audiences 86.
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