The (queer) world is a very lucky place, knowing that the grand old queer theatrical knight Sir Ian McKellan shows no sign of slowing up his work schedule despite being 86 years old. Just last Queerguru’s Kareem Tabsch reviewed Sir Ian in AN ARK at The Shed on Off Broadway (see here) and now we are previewing his latest movie The Christophers, which is due to be released April 10th.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh and co-starring Michaela Coel the story centers on Julian Sklar, a once-celebrated painter from London’s 1960s and 1970s pop art scene, played by McKellen. Now broke and creatively stagnant, Julian has not painted in decades and supplements his income by recording personalized birthday messages. His estranged children, portrayed by James Corden and Jessica Gunning, hire Lori, an art restorer and former forger played by Coel, to pose as a prospective assistant. Their scheme involves accessing eight unfinished canvases known as “The Christophers,” completing them, and staging their “discovery” after Julian’s death to secure an inheritance.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall and critics praised the chemistry between McKellen and Coel, noting their “compelling” and “charismatic” performances that drive the film’s dialogue-heavy structure. The dynamic explores artistic mentorship, hidden motives, and the value of art, with Lori critiquing Julian’s past career implosion.
| For LGBTQ+ audiences, McKellen’s role underscores enduring visibility for gay actors in lead dramatic roles, contributing to broader conversations on aging, artistry, and queer legacies in film. The film’s London setting and pop art backdrop evoke cultural histories relevant to queer artistic movements. |
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