Best Supporting Actor 2018: Richard E. Grant in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Richard E. Grant received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Jack Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me?.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a terrific film about curmudgeon and biographer Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy) becoming a forger of celebrity letters after having lost her job and writing a flop.

Richard E. Grant makes his triumphant return here with what has perhaps become his most noted role since his breakout turn as the titular Withnail of Withnail and I. Although it is fair to say the character of Withnail shares several similarities to his role of Jack Hock here, both roles certainly play to Grant's strengths as a performer, this is not a simple reprise of that performance, and not just because Grant/the character are thirty years older. Jack is a character of many, yet few trades, as we find during the film, but the name is perhaps most fitting to him as that of the bar fly. This is after all how he is introduced as he springs into some random bar where McCarthy's Israel is also drinking, rather early in the day. Grant's entrance is pronounced, as he enters with a spontaneous, rather endearing energy even in the way he summons a beer for himself. Where Grant had a certain flamboyance as Withnail, that was an act in the character, where in Jack, this is very much who Jack is, or at least must be. Although more on that later as first we must discover Jack on the surface, who we should, no must, be described quite simply as an absolute delight. 

Of course he is an interesting sort to be sure as he and Lee Israel initially bond upon seemingly their mutual disregard of the societal mucketymucks. Although this perhaps far more towards Lee who recalls, with great affection, when Jack urinated on expensive fur coats at a party, which she holds in high regard as an accomplishment. Grant on the other hand portrays this devoted fascination towards Lee, perhaps to some sense as a writer on the fringes of high society, but there is perhaps more to that. Let's hold off on that though, as it is easy enough just to have some fun with Grant in the role here. His mannerisms he so naturally realizes as the bit of the show that is. Grant very much plays Jack as a man seeking more than a bit of attention, in his dramatic strides, great grin, and frequently grand gestures. It is not a hollow act though as Grant brings such a zest into every single movement. Grant plays it as much of a man seeking his own pleasure through these actions, just as he is trying to be noticed at the same time. Grant's performance captures this infectious energy that even as we discover more of Jack's less savory qualities, as his living seems to consistent of drug dealing and small time larceny, it is hard not to like Jack due to Grant's approach.

The purpose of his character though is to be the one companion of Lee which only seems possible given Jack's equally dubious position on the societal food chain, which in turn is one of the great joys of the film that being the chemistry between Grant and McCarthy. This being funneled through initially their mutual love of creating a bit of misanthropic havoc, and the certain pseudo disdain they have for each other that is also this connection for them as this understanding of each other. Although there are many of truths held, Grant and McCarthy emphasize this honesty of interaction between the two that makes the friendship work so well. What also helps is pitch perfect comedic timing between the two. This film is not an intended to be a broad comedy, yet there is such natural comedy is realized through the two's interactions. They just derive such authentic humor from their interplay with one another that is absolutely splendid at every turn. Whether it be Grant's oh so sincere swift affirmation of "mmmhmm", when Lee questions if he's really gay for not knowing who Fanny Brice is, or just in Grant's way of conveying his more than a little insincere support of Lee having left a partner, due to her former partner wanting her to care about anyone other than just herself. Grant's delivery of "the never" at the notion is just ever so perfect, just as every little joking moment between the two is as performed by he and McCarthy.

Of course what makes this performance so special, though really just being a delight would already be more than enough, is that the friendship between the two does mean more than a few laughs. This is brilliantly realized in just the very first scene, partially beyond his enthusiasm to speak with someone, but also when they initially part ways with Jack remarking his house is a few blocks down or so. The hesitation in his voice tells this to be a lie, as does the certain somberness Grant brings to his eyes as he turns to the city alone. Grant portrays carefully no real callousness in the relationship, even with the misanthropy involved in some of their actions, showing a thrill in the interaction, a thrill just of a connection to any one. There is one moment in particular I love as he visits Lee's apartment, along with her super, and a exterminator. All three initially flee due to the smell, which Jack too admits to as well that draws him away. Jack returns though and the way Grant delivers that he doesn't mind and will help her clean up, is with an understated yet wholly genuine tenderness of a real friend. Grant is great the way he makes every moment the two share, as something special in his eyes, even if he plays as Jack purposefully underplaying a bit. When he takes her to a drag show, Grant offers this pride and warmth, of a man just happy to share a moment with a mutual spirit. As Grant realizes so well in his performance that Jack is a very lonely man in heart, and craves interaction more so than attention. Although the flamboyant personality isn't fake, Grant creates as an essential part of Jack way of being away from his loneliness. A loneliness that probably is only assuaged by Lee as a friend.

Now we don't see his life really outside of his time with Lee, but there is a pivotal moment where he comes to Lee for aid after being beaten by likely a male prostitute he couldn't pay. Again Grant depicts such real sadness in his eyes, suggesting just life of quiet desperation. Unfortunately the vices of both eventually lead to their parting, especially after Jack accidentally kills Lee's cat, and they both get caught in the forgeries. They share one more scene together some time later, now that Jack has developed AIDS, and she is asking to use him in her autobiography. Grant and McCarthy again excel by showing the two picking essentially where they left off, though now appropriately a bit more guarded as they trade their insults. Grant brings the right coldness towards her that Grant effectively shows coming from her dismissive treatment of him, and as well a definite bitterness towards his fatal affliction. The two though again casually lifts it as they keep speaking, creating the sense of their friendship once again ever so briefly through a little warm insult once again. Jack agrees though does so with the request that she make him "29 with perfect skin" and to not make him "sound stupid". Although the request is comical, Grant's portrayal of the moment is absolutely heartbreaking, though also a little heartwarming in a way, as he wholly finds the sense of Jack sensing his impending death, and that is time is nearly gone though still holding onto something. This is an outstanding performance by Richard E. Grant as he takes a role, that could've been just a grotesque caricature in the wrong hands, and brings such a vivid life to him. To be sure, he's entertaining with his delicious approach to Jack, but also finds such honesty and true poignancy in his portrait of this man on the fringes of society.