‘The Lesson’ (2023) Review – A Wickedly Delicious Dark Comedy

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

They say that the pen is mightier than the sword. Yet, for director Alice Troughton this proves doubly true, as her latest film The Lesson cuts with razor sharp wit and savagery. While we may be unfamiliar with Troughton’s previous output, if this is anything to go by, we need to try and correct that. Writer Liam (Daryl McCormack) is hired by the famous and slightly infamous author J.M Sinclair (Richard E. Grant) to tutor his son Bertie (Stephen McMillian) over the summer. Things seem great, as Liam is not only working on a beautiful estate and working close to his idol, but he also hopes that Sinclair can help him in his career. Of course, things turn strange and then deadly as sins of the past are unearthed.

The Lesson is an interesting film as it is a family drama, a dark comedy and some thriller elements gluing it together. It’s often very difficult blending different thematic threads in a way that feels cohesive to an audience. Thankfully, with skill in its writing and a pitch perfectly balanced tone, this narrative pulls this off beautifully. Things are a bit slow from the outset, but like a good novel there is something intriguing and mysterious that helps keep you engaged. We get only fragments of information, building a nice amount of tension, when conflict does erupt. And, boy does it. From a technical standpoint, the film is stunning. The photography is extremely well thought out and adds to the thematic elements. For example, the Sinclair’s perfectly maintained estate and the marvelously decorated house is a wickedly delicious juxtaposition of just how ugly and rotten the interior lives of most of the family that it occupies.

You also get a sense that Troughton is channeling Hitchcock without it feeling like a rip-off of his work. Not only is this seen in the more surface-level thriller aspects, but also in the dry wit present, which is an oft forgotten staple in Hitch’s films. Not to mention some light psycho-sexual elements thrown in for good measure. The movie feels subdued, and deliberately slowly paced. Yet, like flipping a switch, the film races to an unhinged and enjoyable finale.

The highlight here is of course the cast. Richard E. Grant is a national treasure and makes a devilishly good meal of the performance. In speaking with Mr. Grant about his performance, he expressed the joy it was to play such a vile son-of-a-bitch. Grant is skilled enough to deliver some truly biting verbal takedowns, yet in a way that is still very posh. Any writers out there will feel gutted by Sinclair utterly destroying Liam’s hard work. Speaking of which, Daryl McCormack is equally stellar as Liam. McCormack has some excellent instincts as an actor, and like Grant knows how to find not only his character, but how to make their moments without going hammy. The two play well off one another. Then you have the legendary Julie Delpy. What else can you say? Delpy is a brilliant actor and a rare creature that can effortlessly elevate any material. The scenes between her and Grant are fantastic, as you get to see two titans of acting sharing the screen. The supporting cast is also fantastic, and there isn’t a single bad performance to be found.

While The Lesson is overall very enjoyable, it is far from perfect. The movie goes all in on the “great writers steal” motif. While yes, that is the crux of the film, the movie literally spells it out numerous times, in a way that feels a bit simplistic and on the nose. The movie also feels uneven in the last act and, as some other critics have pointed out, it feels like they could have added another twist or plot element to make things feel more complete. There is a weird sexual tension going on between both Liam and Sinclair’s wife Hélène, along with some potential vibes from Liam and Bertie. This aspect, especially the latter Liam and Bertie relationship, never pays off in a way that feels satisfying. It almost feels like an afterthought, which doesn’t help the pacing.

The Lesson feels like fast food served on beautiful Waterford crystal plates. You get the polish and posh family drama, straight out of the BBC playbook, and the junk food in the form of wicked comedy, strange vibes and a wonderfully over-the-top finale. Chef’s kiss!

The Lesson is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of Bleecker Street. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amO6BhGJ4so]