London, 1934. 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. When the owner of the Daily Chronicle newspaper dies, and his son David Brooke (Strong) takes over, Jimmy quickly finds himself at odds with his new boss and his position under threat. In an attempt to preserve the power and influence he holds so sacred, Jimmy strikes a faustian pact with struggling actress Nina Land (Arterton), entangling them and Brooke in a thrilling but deadly web of desire, blackmail and betrayal.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm the chief drama critic of the Daily Chronicle.
00:06Jimmy Erskine's never liked me.
00:08Hold your breath for he is theatrical sewage.
00:11It's a disaster. You should talk to him.
00:14Over the last ten years, you've compared me to livestock, creatures of the sea, and an extinct bird.
00:20It's going to stop.
00:21Oh, are you retiring?
00:24Tone it down. More beauty, less beast.
00:28We can restore the Chronicle to its rightful place as the most read family newspaper in the country.
00:33Watch your backs.
00:35He won't come after the old guard.
00:38Beyond the paper!
00:41Anyone who threatens the reputation of this newspaper is an undesirable.
00:45You must practice your perversion behind closed doors.
00:48You're a cheeky old queer, ain't ya?
00:50May I return the compliment?
00:51Mr. Erskine, are you a homosexual?
01:01One month's notice.
01:02What did you expect?
01:07You must have something on him.
01:09The man's a saint.
01:11All men have secrets. I'll find his.
01:14From your secret admirer?
01:18Look, he's crying.
01:20Viscount Brooke.
01:22Powerful wretch.
01:25But catastrophically married.
01:28I have something delicate to discuss.
01:33Do me a little service.
01:37I want you to please him.
01:39And in return, you will gain my unyielding favor.
01:43All that's required to make you a star.
01:51Don't let me down.
01:53Or what?
02:00You're so naughty.
02:02You're a maniac with a death wish.
02:05I'm a critic.
02:06I have power and influence.
02:13I want to ask you to live with yourself.
02:15Please.
02:16This is only the beginning.
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