Ian McKellan gives a delicious performance as a catty gay theatre critic in 1930s London.

Based on Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call, Jimmy Erskine (McKellen) is the most feared theatre critic of the age. He lives as flamboyantly as he writes and takes pleasure in savagely taking down any actor who fails to meet his standards. His newspaper’s new owner, David Brooke (Mark Strong), stands for patriotism and family values. It’s not long before Brooke fires Erskine for his outrageous behaviour and opinions, in particular a fierce review of actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton). Erskine picks up on this cue and exploits the opportunity to get his job back. He writes a glowing review for Nina, promises her a glittering career, but in return she must do him a favour which has devastating consequences.