Richard E. Grant is deliciously evil in Alice Troughton’s feature film debut – here’s our The Lesson review.
In Alice Troughton’s The Lesson, Daryl McCormack’s young writer Liam gets the chance of a lifetime. He’s called to provide private, live-in tutoring service to famed writer J.M. Sinclair’s son Bertie, who’s applying to Oxford University and simply has to get in.
It’s a wonderful opportunity for anyone, but for Liam, it’s very special indeed. Liam has idolised Sinclair for years, going as far as focusing his dissertation on the Sinclair (Richard E Grant). Once at his house, Liam is desperate to impress him, as well as Sinclair’s wife, Hélène (Julie Delpy).
We won’t spoil the rest of The Lesson’s plot here, because part of the fun is watching it meticulously unfold. It’s all a little too familiar at times and naturally arrives at a conclusion we could all see coming from a mile away, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not having a good time watching it.
Troughton, an established TV director, makes her feature film debut with The Lesson and as far as debuts go, this is an assured one. Part of it is Troughton’s natural instinct to step back and let the camera simply observe her handsome cast. After all, what’s the point of casting Richard E. Grant and Julie Delpy if you’re going to meddle with their performances too much?
Credit: Universal Pictures
The cast really is the main reason why The Lesson works as well as it does. Grant, Delpy and McCormack have a fascinating three-way dynamic going on, one that grows and develops as the plot progresses, and so incredibly watchable. You might even describe it as magnetic.
McCormack, known for his breakthrough role against Emma Thompson in the wonderful Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, anchors the entire film. Grant’s snooty Sinclair and Delpy’s waspy Hélène only work when projected against someone we can relate to. What Alex McKeith’s script does so well is then complicate our understanding and our loyalty to Liam, who reveals himself to be a cunning little prick. It makes for great drama.
Grant is naturally the draw, here and for good reason; a charismatic force of nature, he’s both revolting and inspiring at once. The Lesson often risks Grant stealing everyone else’s thunder, but thankfully, Delpy’s more conniving performance and McCormack’s doe-eyed turn compliment it rather than become overwhelmed by it.
“Good writers borrow. Great writers steal,” Sinclair proclaims early on in The Lesson. This becomes a bit of a mantra for the film, and while McKeith’s script gets so many things right, The Lesson is ultimately let down by a sense of inevitability. Troughton’s direction is stronger in the first half, when Liam’s trying to impress the family. It plays out like a seduction and at times, The Lesson also dips its toes into some sensuality and pleasing eroticism, but lacks the boldness to make this into a full-blown erotic thriller. As such, it might have been more memorable.
Despite an intriguing first half, The Lesson can’t quite keep up with its own ambitions. There’s much to admire here – namely the performances – but the ending leaves you wanting more. Make of that what you will.
The Lesson is in UK cinemas 22 September.
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