In the latest twisty, tricky dramedy from Steven Soderbergh, The Christophers delves into the complexities of artistic legacy and the lengths one might go to preserve it. The film centers on Julian Sklar, a once-celebrated painter now reduced to recording personalized messages on a Cameo-style platform, played by the legendary Ian McKellen. Sklar's children, played by James Corden and Jessica Gunning, have a scheme to boost their father's legacy by having an art restorer, Lori Butler (played by Michaela Coel), "complete" eight of his never-seen portrait sketches, passing them off as early works from his most celebrated period. This raises questions of artistry, authorship, and the lengths one might go to preserve a legacy. McKellen's portrayal of Sklar is a blustering wonder, while Coel's reserved Lori is a steely force of nature, adding depth to the film's exploration of these themes. Soderbergh's decision to treat this story as a virtual two-hander, placing his trust in his performers, pays off, as the film goes deeper than a mere masterclass in technique. The answers The Christophers provides are as artful as anyone might wish, exploring the complexities of artistic legacy and the lengths one might go to preserve it.
