Art restorer Lori (Michaela Coel) is hired by the children of a famous artist to forge “The Christophers”, a series of incomplete canvases that would form their inheritance. 

The artist in question is Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen). At his height, his paintings changed hands for millions of dollars, before he was rewarded with a reality television show that made him twisted and bitter. Now he awaits death, his incomplete masterworks gathering dust in an attic whilst he records birthday messages for fans online to keep food on his table. 

Lori, once an aspiring artist, now makes ends meet with art restoration and a gig economy working for food trucks. She once admired Sklar, and her internal relationship with him and financial situation piques her interest enough to take the job. 

From here, The Christophers becomes almost a two-hander play exploring the motivations, dreams, and regrets of two people whose lives are very much at opposite ends of the spectrum. But the plot never once settles for the ordinary or cliché, leaving you fully wrapped up and immersed in what will unfold for the two sparring, fiercely independent characters that are our protagonists. 

It is here that I have to pour huge amounts of praise and appreciation on the script, the two leads, and the film’s director. Not once does the film feel like an artistic staged play where a life-affirming point is being made. We, in fact, grow to understand and appreciate why Julian and Lori are who they are, and whilst some life choices may not be particularly nice or admirable, they are fully rooted in reality for those characters. Writer Ed Solomon and director Steven Soderbergh keep the story wholly believable and propulsive. 

Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, meanwhile, are utterly superb. In fact, as I was watching the film and the characters’ layers peel away, I wondered whether it might in fact be the best I have ever seen either of them perform. McKellen, whose body of work is so broad and long, is especially amazing. 

Rounding out the cast and story in a slightly broader comedic manner, we also have Jessica Gunning and James Corden as the spurned children whose plans the forgeries are. Popping up occasionally to add a little humour and help you understand why Sklar finds them so repulsive. 

The Christophers is a truly wonderful film, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.