"The Christophers"
Ian McKellen argues art and life with Michaela Coel in “The Christophers,” from Neon

"The Christophers"

Ian McKellen hits a new career peak in Steven Soderbergh’s unmissable and unforgettable tale of an artist and his forger (Michaela Coel).

By Peter Travers

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★★★½ (3½ out of 4)

Attention Oscar: You’ve given Sir Ian McKellen, 86, a paltry two Oscar nominations—Best Actor as closeted “Frankenstein” director James Whale for 1998’s “Gods and Monsters” and Best Supporting Actor as Gandalf the wizard (pronouns unknown) for 2001’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” You idiotically brushed him aside both times for lesser performances from Roberto Benigni (“Life is Beautiful”) and Jim Broadbent (“Iris”). Now is the time to make up for past sins.