Imagine a cinematic universe without the towering presence of Sir Ian McKellen. Spanning over half a century, McKellen’s illustrious career, rooted in theater, has seen him not only in serious dramas and renowned plays, but also in massive science fiction and fantasy blockbusters. In the early 2000s, McKellen was a leading figure in two major franchises, delivering unforgettable performances in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the pre-MCU standout, the “X-Men” trilogy.
McKellen’s signature gravitas is a staple in every role he plays, often elevating even mediocre films like “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Golden Compass,” and even “Cats.” With such a vast and influential career, it’s challenging to pinpoint McKellen’s best movie, but where personal opinions fail, Rotten Tomatoes’ algorithm steps in. While it’s impossible to single out one performance of McKellen’s that outshines all others, according to the review aggregation site, the actor has starred in two films that have received universal acclaim from critics. These aren’t the blockbusters mentioned earlier, nor are they the films that earned McKellen his two Oscar nominations. Instead, they are intense, intricate dramas produced decades apart.
An Emmy-nominated performance in a powerful AIDS drama
HBO
The first “perfect” McKellen film, as per critics, is technically a TV film. “And The Band Played On,” released in 1993 on HBO and later broadcast on NBC, is a courageous exploration of the scientific, political, social, and personal aspects of the AIDS epidemic in America. The film features Matthew Modine, recently seen in “Stranger Things,” and Alan Alda as two researchers making crucial discoveries about HIV/AIDS amidst a growing number of deaths among gay men. McKellen portrays gay activist Bill Kraus, a congressional aide who died from the virus in real life in 1986.
All twelve critics cited by Rotten Tomatoes gave positive reviews for the film. Howard Rosenberg of the LA Times praised the film for its attempt to adapt its source material, a detailed nonfiction book by Randy Shilts, for a film audience. He writes, “There is a lot of material to draw together, and the complexities of Shilts’ book would challenge almost any scenarist.”
Despite its bold narrative, “And The Band Played On” received widespread acclaim, earning an Emmy nomination for McKellen and five other actors involved. The film bagged the Emmy award for Outstanding Made For Television Movie, along with the Humanitas Award and a GLAAD honor. However, the film also reflects some of the persisting flawed attitudes towards queer people and HIV/AIDS. As Rosenberg points out, the film tends to exaggerate its straight doctor hero, while its LGBTQ+ characters are often sanitized from their sexual orientation.
A memorable face-off with Anthony Hopkins that won rave reviews
Starz
Over two decades later, McKellen’s second film to receive a perfect score was a 2015 adaptation of Ronald Harwood’s 1980 play “The Dresser,” where he shared the screen with Sir Anthony Hopkins. Although not as explicitly queer as “And The Band Plays On,” “The Dresser” explores a complex and intimate relationship between two men against the backdrop of World War II air raids.
“The Dresser,” which premiered on BBC 2 in the UK and later aired on Starz in the U.S., bypassed theaters but found immediate acclaim. Critics lauded the film for its performances and its layered approach to the source material. “The best part of ‘The Dresser’ is watching Hopkins and McKellen, two actors at the peak of their considerable powers, playing off each other,” wrote Julia Felsenthal of Vogue in one of the 14 positive reviews recorded by Rotten Tomatoes.
While Rotten Tomatoes’ data is not always accurate, “The Dresser” and “And The Band Played On” are undoubtedly great movies by any standards. You don’t need an excuse to enjoy a brilliant Ian McKellen performance; if you feel like watching two today, “And The Band Played On” is available on HBO’s streamer Max, while “The Dresser” can be found on Starz.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
