REVIEW - Ian McKellen doco McKellen: Playing The Part celebrates a great actor and an even greater storyteller

REVIEW: MCKELLEN: PLAYING THE PART spends some high-quality time with the venerated acting legend and riveting raconteur Sir Ian McKellen. A fine doco about a fine actor.

Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes in Mr Holmes.

MCKELLEN: PLAYING THE PART (M)

Rating: Three and a half stars (3.5 out of 5)

Director: Joe Stephenson (documentary debut)

Starring: Ian McKellen, Milo Parker, Scott Chambers.

When keeping it real means putting on an act

The veteran British actor Ian McKellen has often said he believes every interview he gives to be the equivalent of a full performance.

Therefore the illuminating documentary McKellen: Playing the Part takes just the right less-is-more approach to its colourful and fascinating subject.

Sir Ian McKellen in a scene from documentary film McKellen: Playing the Part Icon Film Distribution

Filmmaker Joe Stephenson does little more than stage a long and open-ended interview with McKellen, who responds with a warm, vibrant and revealing ‘performance’ befitting a raconteur of his considerable renown.

Comfortably seated in a red leather chair, McKellen has no qualms about discussing any part of his life (which makes for a refreshing change from those kind of docos where elderly subjects take the opportunity to rewrite history before they cark it.)

Sir Ian McKellen in a scene from documentary film McKellen: Playing the Part Icon Film Distribution

Now 78 years of age, McKellen did not catch a genuine break in the movie business until relatively late in his career.

Most punters only associate him with prominent roles in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the X-Men series. However, his exploits on the stage have been the stuff of legend for several decades, as are his efforts as a belated (yet very effective) crusader for gay rights.

McKellen’s rich turn of phrase and self-deprecating expertise with building the perfect anecdote makes him tremendous company throughout here.

Just as he is not afraid to call out the excesses and indulgences of his peers in the acting game, McKellen is equally forthright about the political and ethical beliefs which, for a long time, almost held him back from a recognition he always deserved.

Actors Ian McKellen and Judi Dench perform in Trevor Nunn's Macbeth in 1976 - a production by the Royal Shakespeare Company - as seen in documentary film McKellen: Playing the Part © Shakespeares Birthplace Trust Icon Film Distribution

Originally published as REVIEW - Ian McKellen doco McKellen: Playing The Part celebrates a great actor and an even greater storyteller