The Lesson

In supposed thriller "The Lesson" aspiring writer Daryl McCormack (future huge star pending the right BIG role) is an English Lit tutor to Stephen McMillan, son of Julie Delpy & Richard E Grant (terrific) - whose other son killed himself two years prior. The domineering Grant's a once acclaimed author who's close to finishing his comeback novel, but in staying with the family at their beautiful, isolated home McCormack unearths secrets beneath their tension. Debut director Alice Troughton & debut writer Alex MacKeith tick the boxes, albeit with some clichés, to deliver a passable Brit-drama... that's sadly a tad too mild & predictable to be considered a true 'thriller'.

This movie isn't a thriller, so don't go in expecting big twists or action; it's a quiet, slow-paced drama with a mysterious edge. Some are rating the movie low because the mystery isn't hard to figure out, but I feel like that is not the point. The movie is meant to be a commentary on grief, ego, and control. It's not so much "what happens" but more "why" and "how" it unfolds.

The setting is absolutely beautiful: a big manor by a lake, surrounded by greenery. Calm but eerie atmosphere. Acting is top notch, everyone is great, they really managed to get a great cast. The writing is smart, with lots of foreshadowing, symbolism, and literary references and devices that fit the movie's theme.

That said, I wouldn't give it a perfect score. The slow pacing is not for me, and a few character decisions felt off or hard to believe. It's not a movie I'd probably rewatch, but I was definitely intrigued the whole time and impressed by the actors' performances.

As "The Lesson" (2023 release from the UK; 103 min) opens, we are introduced in the "Prologue" to Liam, who has just published his first novel and is sitting down for an interview. We then go back in time to "Part I" and Liam arrives at a large state in rural England, to become a private tutor to a young man whom Liam will prep for the Oxford entrance exam. The young man's dad is renowned writer J. M. Sinclair, who is working on a new novel. Helene, the mom, is there as well. At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the feature length debut of British director Alice Troughton, best known for he work on "Doctor Who". Here she brings a psychological thriller of sorts (not a fear-fest in any way). Given that this is a plot-heavy movie, the less that is said about that, the better. I will say that there was one plot twist I did not see coming at all, but that I also in my mind correctly predicted how the movie would end. The good news is that the lead performers are all super enjoyable, none more so that Richard E. Grant (as J. M. Sinclair). It wasn't until the movie end credits rolled that I realized that Helene is played by none other than Julie Delpy. I wasn't familiar with Daryl McCormick, who plays Liam. These are winning performances, period. The movie itself was ok but just ok.

"The Lesson" premiered at the recent Tribeca Film Festival to good acclaim, although I was a little surprised to see that this is currently rated 83% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a little high to me. The movie was released this past weekend in limited theaters. The Tuesday early evening screening where I saw this at my local arthouse theater here in Cincinnati was attended dismally: 1 other person besides myself. If you are in the mood for a psychological thriller with great lead performances, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

This movie is a seven. Oddly enough, with better writing, maybe a stronger plot with the right twists and turns, this could've easily been a nine maybe even a rock solid ten.

The performances here are some of the very best of 2023.

Richard E. Grant. Has he been knighted yet? He needs to be. I have never seen him give less than one hundred percent in every role he's ever occupied. Even Spice World. Yup. Spice World. The last film that I saw him in, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, he was spectacular. In The Lesson, he again ascends to great heights. He shows the depth, maturity and wisdom to play a highly-respected author of contemporary English literature.

His gorgeous wife, played by the elegant Julie Delpy.

Delpy in Killing Zoe was a career defining and most memorable performance.

Not surprisingly In The Lesson, she is the petrol to the fire.

She and her husband, the brilliant writer share a massive and secluded home on a beautiful, rolling, presumably English (though it's Germany - I looked into it) country side.

They live with their youngest, university-bound son, Bertie, who is currently prepping for his college admissions.

Bertie is played by Stephen McMillan, and he is maybe the biggest, brightest star of the entire film.

Bertie lives in the cold shadows of his famous father and his recently deceased older brother. The only real warmth he receives is from his mother.

And so she has hired a tutor to assist in this lengthy and intense college admissions process.

The tutor, an aspiring writer with great admiration for the work of Grant's character and his process towards the craft. He's played by Daryl McCormack. A solid portrayal by a solid up and coming talent who has snagged a part in the upcoming 2024 sequel to Twister, Twisters.

And off we go!

Tutor and tutee grinding away on the reading, writing and interviewing aspects of the admissions process.

Deliciously presented dinners with the family by candlelight. Wining and dining. Rachmaninoff playing gently in the background.

The estate is breathtaking. Monet's Giverny it seems. Study sessions out in the fresh air off the garden.

Who wouldn't want this gig?

We soon find out, somewhat mysteriously, many.

Beware jobs with a high turnover rate.

Questions start to surface.

What exactly happened to the older brother, Felix?

And what happens to all of the tutors?

This is where the story should've really blasted off.

But it doesn't.

Punches are pulled.

It gives in and makes it easy.

This movie gets a seven because of all the incredible performances from all of the ensemble.

All of them.

Richard E. Grant is his generation's Ian McKellen.

It's true.

And one of King Charles' first acts should be to knight this fine actor.

It's a psychological drama set in modern times on an Irish estate owned by a famous novelist and his family. It follows the experiences of a tutor hired to help the younger son prepare for university interviews.

J. M. Sinclair (Richard E. Grant) is an honored and successful novelist who has not released new work for five or more years. He is married to Hélène (Julie Delpy), who sells art. Their older son, Felix (Joseph Meurer), committed suicide two years earlier. The younger son, Bertie (Stephen McMillan), has gone through several tutors. Liam Somers (Daryl McCormack) is a graduate student who has extensively studied Sinclair's literary work and worked on his own first novel for several years.

Liam soon discovers the Sinclair family estate holds a lot of eccentricity and tension within its walls. He is periodically invited to join the family the dinner and develops a decent relationship with Bertie. Hélène seems protective of both J. M. and Bertie, but with an aloof edge. Any mention of Felix is forbidden, and the nearby pond where Felix died is off-limits. Liam's bedroom window allows him to observe much, and J. M. soon requires Liam's computer skills as he tries to complete his new novel. Liam's photographic memory also comes in handy.

Suddenly, everything goes off the rails as we learn more about Felix's death and the reasons for Sinclair's writer's block.

I found "The Lesson" an engaging mystery. Grant is a great arrogant novelist, and Delpy is a delicious conniving matriarch. McCormack is also convincing. The plot unfolded nicely until the very end when I thought it took an unrealistic turn. Nonetheless, I liked "The Lesson." The pacing and cinematography were good.