Movie Review: The Christophers

 Movie Number 23 of 2026

Movie: The Christophers

The Cinema: Village Cinemas - The Rivoli

Runtime: One hour 40 minutes

Stars: 4.5

Of course, I was going to love this. It has the hallmarks of something I'd love - an English film, about art, set in London, directed by Steven Soderburgh, with a fantastic cast. 

This had me spellbound. I'm not sure if it was Michaela Coel's cheekbones, or the slightly barking plot or the slightly shaky camerawork in places, but to me, this was gold. It's a dark comedy in many ways - but not overly so. I loved it. It hit the spot well good. 

The action takes place in London, where Laurie (Michaela Coel) an art restorer and occasional forger, is approached by Sallie (Jessica Gunning) and Barnaby (James Corden) to go into their father's place and 'finish' a last set of his paintings. Their father, Julian (Ian McKellen) is dying. He's also irascible, painful, rather funny, and as it turns out, Laurie's nemesis. You see, Julian is a famous artist. He's also known for being a bastard. Sallie and Barnaby want Laurie to finish these painting so they will have an inheritance. 

The movie shows the ins and outs of Laurie and Julian's relationship. It's a game of cat and mouse as Laurie tries to wheedle her way into Julian's world but also wrangles with the ethics of what the terrible twosome wants her to do. Added on top of this, her reasons for hating Julian are very relevant. You also want to find out just who Christopher is and why these paintings are such a source of pain for Julian. 

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, most of the film is set in Julian's dreadfully messy apartment. The warren like nature of the space us juxtaposed with the twists and turns of the story.

Both Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen are superb in this as the talented student and the established artist. It's tender, spit take funny in places and thought provoking. I mean in the scheme of things, what is art? What makes something art? And why are some things far more valuable than others. (I loved Julian's line "This will hang with the worst paintings of all time, along with dogs playing poker, velvet Elvis, and most of Warhol.")

This is definitely worth a look. You don't have to be an art lover to enjoy this thought-provoking, interesting film. 

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