The Lesson
A young author takes a tutoring position at the estate of a legendary writer. (R, 102 min.)
Showtimes
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
7:15 PM
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
5:30 PM
Thursday, August 3, 2023
5:30 PM
Liam (Daryl McCormack), an aspiring and ambitious young writer, eagerly accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of his idol, renowned author J.M. Sinclair (Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant). But soon, Liam realizes that he is ensnared in a web of family secrets, resentment, and retribution. Sinclair, his wife Hélène (Academy Award nominee Julie Delpy), and their son Bertie (Stephen McMillan) all guard a dark past, one that threatens Liam’s future as well as their own. As the lines between master and protégé blur, class, ambition, and betrayal become a dangerous combination in this taut noir thriller. [Bleecker Street]
Starring: Daryl McCormack, Richard E. Grant, Julie Delpy, Stephen McMillan
Director: Alice Troughton
Genre: Thriller
"The Lesson is a quiet little film with surprisingly sharp teeth."
— Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic
"It’s beautifully acted and photographed, with major props due to cinematographer Anna Patarkina."
— Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
"The Lesson plays and gives one of our most entertaining actors an especially meaty role to devour."
— Jason Bailey, The Playlist
"Its slow creep is impressively paced, making this one of the most fun and fascinating movies of the year thus far."
— Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, AWFJ.org
"Unfolding with a tonic intelligence and a slow accretion of menace, Alex MacKeith’s screenplay is smoothly in sync with the specific skills of each performer."
— Jeannette Catsoulis, The New York Times
"Grant is magnificent as a cruel, past-his-prime genius burdened by terrible guilt over an earlier family tragedy, and Delpy — well, can any actor express so much with a single, withering look?"
— Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
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