Telling Lies in America

Film

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<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
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Time Out says

It's 1960 and Renfro's Hungarian immigrant teen determines to get into the pants of winsome co-worker Flockhart by having his name mentioned on the 'High School Hall of Fame' by Cleveland's top DJ, Billy Magic (Bacon). Whizz kid Billy is so impressed by Renfro's denial that he sent in several hundred nomination cards himself that he makes the lad his assistant. These are the days of payola, but young Master Sheltered Life is unaware of the significance of the envelopes he passes to his boss from sundry shady types. And since he and his dad (Schell) are applying for US citizenship, trouble with the police is the last thing he wants. Bacon revels in the greased back hair, flip on-air patter and ersatz R&B stylings on the soundtrack, but it's absolutely no surprise that his icon of cool turns out to be a dud. Director Ferland can only move the elements of the hackneyed plot (by Joe Eszterhas) into place and hope we like Bacon enough not to notice.

Author: TJ

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Release details

UK release:

1997

Duration:

101 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Guy Ferland

Cast:

Paul Dooley, Calista Flockhart, Maximilian Schell, Brad Renfro, Kevin Bacon, Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Music:

Nicholas Pike

Production Designer:

James Gelarden

Editor:

Jill Savitt

Cinematography:

Reynaldo Villalobos

Screenwriter:

Joe Eszterhas

Producer:

Fran Rubel Kuzui, Ben Myron

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (2 ratings)

  • Liked the movie, but soundtrack was a real hit!!

    Suzie Smith Thu Jan 12 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • This is a film dealing with important cultural and ethical issues, and despite a somewhat lacklustre screenplay, it still makes an impact. Kevin Bacon and Calista Flockhart are eminently watchable, though the lead actor ,( whose name escapes me,) lacks panache and despite a very earnest performance, can't convey the emotional complexity of this character . . .They really need someone like John Cusack . . . . What really works well in this movie is the soundtrack, which makes up for the turgid plot development . . . . . Nevertheless the film successfully deals with the nature of idealism and pragmaticism in American Culture . . . .George Washington was a really quite a shady character . . he had to be to get anywhere . .. . .

    John Cooper Mon Sep 26 2011
    Rated as: 3/5
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