This was a good, simple little film.
Lee Israel (a nearly unrecognizable Melissa McCarthy) needs money. She's flat broke, her beloved cat is sick and she can't pay her rent. Sure, her writing has been critically acclaimed but no one wants her biographies. So starts doing something illegal, writing letters from famous people. Naturally, it doesn't take long for others to catch on so she's soon in some pretty deep hot water.
And that's the whole plot. Sure, it doesn't seem like much, but the film is great nevertheless even though Lee is rather despicable and unlikable, a trait which is pointed out to her several times. She likes cats more than people (I do too, at times) and she drinks too much. Her only 'friend' is fellow loser, Jack Hock (Richard E. Grant) who peddles in illegal drugs and flips on her to the feds rather quickly.
While the film is simple, filled with unlikable characters, it is good nevertheless. The screenplay is tight and flows well and no minute is wasted space and the performances are good and it is shocking to watch, someone almost getting away with forging pieces of history. The performances are also great. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-I wonder what truly happened to Jersey. I suspect that Jack gave her too many pills.
-At least Lee managed to get an agent, I haven't been that successful.
-Lee really needs to work on her people skills.
-Also, she's on house arrest and lies about going to AA meetings? How does she get away with that?
-I love how Jack looks to Lee for permission to get a steak.
-Despite being a complete fraud, one of Lee's letters manages to get authenticated.
-The sad thing is, Lee was so talented, she deserves to be remembered more than just the woman who forged letters from famous people.
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