Brilliant Lies

Franklin's adaptation of David Williamson's play about sexual harassment in the workplace is a huge improvement on his abysmal Hotel Sorrento, but still suffers from staginess. Centred on the accusations of flirty, money-grabbing Gia Carides against slimy, misogynist boss LaPaglia, the script delves into a range of heavily conflicting attitudes (to sexual politics, family relationships, honesty, ethics), remaining sensitive throughout to male paranoia and female resentment. Motivation and resolution, finally, are a little pat, but the sturdy performances flesh out the schematic scenario and, clumsy flashbacks aside, Franklin directs with a fair sense of irony and immediacy.