27 reviews
"Telling Lies in America" is a film that seems to have gone directly to video. It certainly deserved a wider audience because what Guy Ferland, the director does with the screen play Joe Eszterhas wrote for the film. Mr. Eszterhas is a man that can write, although some of his efforts have misfired.
If you haven't seen the film, perhaps you should stop reading here.
The basic problem with the film is the casting of Brad Renfro as the main character of the film. While this actor is not a bad actor, he seems miscast as this Karchy Jonas. Most comments in this forum focus on the fact Karchy has no accent, but having been in Cleveland for about seven years, explain that he already has a command of the language. Yes, he might stumble upon certain words, as shown in the film, but basically the character is believable. The only thing is that Mr. Renfro looks an older fourteen, rather than the seventeen he is in the film.
This fact becomes painfully apparent in his relationship with Diney, and with the older woman Billy decides to have him experience sex for the first time. We are not saying it's not possible, because it can easily have been the case, which might have been derived from an experience of Mr. Eszterhas life.
The other thing that doesn't ring true is the relationship between Karchy and his father. It appears that he can do whatever he wants and it's OK with the old man. Usually in the case of immigrant families, it's just the opposite. People immigrating to this country tend to be more protective, demanding discipline and obedience that is nowhere to be seen in the film. Also, Karchy's behavior in school would have probably grounded him forever, but it never comes into play.
The marvelous Kevin Bacon is the best asset this film has going for itself. Not only is Mr. Bacon the most versatile of the current actors working in films, he brings such an intelligent take to his take on Billy Magic, the DJ of the local radio station that sees right through the lies Karchy Jonas tells. Being a liar himself, Billy can pick a liar whenever he sees one, as is the case when he meets Jonas. Billy Magic has no scruples. He takes money from the record companies, but he has Karchy pick the envelopes.
The cast is good. Maximilian Schell, plays the father, Dr. Jonas, a man so decent, one wonders where did Karchy go wrong. He seems to be a loving father, albeit a distant one. Is it perhaps the fact that the son has embraced the American culture with too much gusto? That might explain the difference, although Karchy is never disrespectful to the old man.
Calista Flockhart is seen as Diney, the mousy worker at the poultry shop where young Karchy works after school. Ms. Flockhart is perfect as the older girl that inspires love in the young man. Luke Wilson is seen as the man in charge of the shop. Paul Dooley makes a wonderful Father Norton, the man who dares put Karchy in his place.
Notable in the film is the use of the popular songs that one hears in the sound track. It made perfect sense the use of those tunes since the background is a popular radio station that catered to teenagers.
This is a film that should be seen by more people because of the good work the director and screen writer have done.
If you haven't seen the film, perhaps you should stop reading here.
The basic problem with the film is the casting of Brad Renfro as the main character of the film. While this actor is not a bad actor, he seems miscast as this Karchy Jonas. Most comments in this forum focus on the fact Karchy has no accent, but having been in Cleveland for about seven years, explain that he already has a command of the language. Yes, he might stumble upon certain words, as shown in the film, but basically the character is believable. The only thing is that Mr. Renfro looks an older fourteen, rather than the seventeen he is in the film.
This fact becomes painfully apparent in his relationship with Diney, and with the older woman Billy decides to have him experience sex for the first time. We are not saying it's not possible, because it can easily have been the case, which might have been derived from an experience of Mr. Eszterhas life.
The other thing that doesn't ring true is the relationship between Karchy and his father. It appears that he can do whatever he wants and it's OK with the old man. Usually in the case of immigrant families, it's just the opposite. People immigrating to this country tend to be more protective, demanding discipline and obedience that is nowhere to be seen in the film. Also, Karchy's behavior in school would have probably grounded him forever, but it never comes into play.
The marvelous Kevin Bacon is the best asset this film has going for itself. Not only is Mr. Bacon the most versatile of the current actors working in films, he brings such an intelligent take to his take on Billy Magic, the DJ of the local radio station that sees right through the lies Karchy Jonas tells. Being a liar himself, Billy can pick a liar whenever he sees one, as is the case when he meets Jonas. Billy Magic has no scruples. He takes money from the record companies, but he has Karchy pick the envelopes.
The cast is good. Maximilian Schell, plays the father, Dr. Jonas, a man so decent, one wonders where did Karchy go wrong. He seems to be a loving father, albeit a distant one. Is it perhaps the fact that the son has embraced the American culture with too much gusto? That might explain the difference, although Karchy is never disrespectful to the old man.
Calista Flockhart is seen as Diney, the mousy worker at the poultry shop where young Karchy works after school. Ms. Flockhart is perfect as the older girl that inspires love in the young man. Luke Wilson is seen as the man in charge of the shop. Paul Dooley makes a wonderful Father Norton, the man who dares put Karchy in his place.
Notable in the film is the use of the popular songs that one hears in the sound track. It made perfect sense the use of those tunes since the background is a popular radio station that catered to teenagers.
This is a film that should be seen by more people because of the good work the director and screen writer have done.
Interesting and well done look at the American pop scene in the sexy sixties. Featuring a oversexed, insecure loser named Karchy who teams up with another oversexed loser disc jockey intent on preying and playing just one more gig in the nowhere business of top 40 music. The charismatic DJ, a burned out cynic, has a history of using unpopular teens to make illegal profits or to cheat them in business deals; which, of course, continues as he rolls into a new town amid a flurry of excitement and adulation. As the rollicking DJ and the impressionable teen play out their drama, another is occurring as Karchy tries to woo an older woman who, for some reason, shows an interest in the love struck teen. Different from most of the gunk coming out today: well worth seeing.
- helpless_dancer
- Nov 7, 2004
- Permalink
Yes, the movie deals tangentially with the payola scandals of the 50's (truly a big problem in the entertainment industry), but only as one of the many lies hinted at in the title.
The two main characters (Renfro and Bacon) do *nothing* but lie. They are balanced by the purity of the other characters (Flockhart and Schell).
Schell's character was a little underwhelming and the work by Renfro was, at times, uneven, but both were generally excellent. My only other quibble was with the settings of the film. As a Clevelander (where the story takes place and the film was shot), it's easy to understand the where the scenes took place and how the story was built around them, but I'm not sure that an "outsider" would understand the implications to the story of those different locations (the neighborhoods, the market, etc.).
The real find is Calista Flockhart. She gives a wonderfully nuanced performance, sweeter and deeper than anything you'll see on Ally McBeal. Interestingly, Flockhart spent time working on stage at the Cleveland Playhouse, so was well-suited for the role in a way.
Joe Eszterhas is not exactly known for his subtlety, but this movie is a small triumph for him and portends better things from his pen in the future.
The two main characters (Renfro and Bacon) do *nothing* but lie. They are balanced by the purity of the other characters (Flockhart and Schell).
Schell's character was a little underwhelming and the work by Renfro was, at times, uneven, but both were generally excellent. My only other quibble was with the settings of the film. As a Clevelander (where the story takes place and the film was shot), it's easy to understand the where the scenes took place and how the story was built around them, but I'm not sure that an "outsider" would understand the implications to the story of those different locations (the neighborhoods, the market, etc.).
The real find is Calista Flockhart. She gives a wonderfully nuanced performance, sweeter and deeper than anything you'll see on Ally McBeal. Interestingly, Flockhart spent time working on stage at the Cleveland Playhouse, so was well-suited for the role in a way.
Joe Eszterhas is not exactly known for his subtlety, but this movie is a small triumph for him and portends better things from his pen in the future.
- williamecook
- Nov 23, 2001
- Permalink
Telling Lies in America is a semi historically accurate examination of the late 50s/early 60s payola scandal told via a fictitious hustling DJ Billie Magic (Kevin Bacon) who comes to a Cleveland Top 40 radio station as his 4th station in 3 years. His tactic: hire a high school boy via a "Man of the School" competition won via the kid voted in the most mailed-in post cards. Billy rightly figures the winner usually forged most of the signatures and so would be the ideal young bag man for the payola cash envelopes.
Enter 17 year old Hungarian refugee Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro) eager to graduate and be popular at an exclusive Catholic school that his law professor father Istvan Jonas (Maximillian Schell) struggles to afford via a working class job. Billy showers Karchy with high pay, fancy meals, offers of entry to Broadcasting School, lets him drive his fancy Cadillac convertible and hires a classy hooker to seduce him. Karchy falls for an older girl Diney (Calister Flockhart) at his previous work and gets a record contract via Billy for his black singer friend Amos (Damien Fletcher). When the police come investigating Billy, they threaten Karchy and his dad with being denied US citizenship if he doesn't implicate Billy in payola. You will have to watch the movie to see with how Karchy threads that needle.
The movie is carried by Bacon who knocks it out if the park as the epitome of a sleazy morally bankrupt DJ. Schell is solid as always. Renfro by then was a Hollywood darling at only 14 with all the right looks. Whilst he's a great actor, he's a bit out of place in this movie trying to play a high school senior and a Hungarian refugee supposedly only in the US for seven years. And having him dating Flockhart's character when Calista was almost 20 years older than Brad....hmmm, somewhat of a casting mismatch. Overall an OK movie with a cool ending.
Enter 17 year old Hungarian refugee Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro) eager to graduate and be popular at an exclusive Catholic school that his law professor father Istvan Jonas (Maximillian Schell) struggles to afford via a working class job. Billy showers Karchy with high pay, fancy meals, offers of entry to Broadcasting School, lets him drive his fancy Cadillac convertible and hires a classy hooker to seduce him. Karchy falls for an older girl Diney (Calister Flockhart) at his previous work and gets a record contract via Billy for his black singer friend Amos (Damien Fletcher). When the police come investigating Billy, they threaten Karchy and his dad with being denied US citizenship if he doesn't implicate Billy in payola. You will have to watch the movie to see with how Karchy threads that needle.
The movie is carried by Bacon who knocks it out if the park as the epitome of a sleazy morally bankrupt DJ. Schell is solid as always. Renfro by then was a Hollywood darling at only 14 with all the right looks. Whilst he's a great actor, he's a bit out of place in this movie trying to play a high school senior and a Hungarian refugee supposedly only in the US for seven years. And having him dating Flockhart's character when Calista was almost 20 years older than Brad....hmmm, somewhat of a casting mismatch. Overall an OK movie with a cool ending.
"Lies..." tells of a Hungraian immigrant 1960 high school boy who falls in with a corrupt D.J. (Bacon) on payola and jeopardizes the possibility of U.S. citizenship for himself and his father. The film showcases good performances by Bacon and Renfro, delivers the usual "slice of life" stuff, doesn't breach realism so as to make the emotional "buy in" impossible, and even conjures up some lessons about the importance of telling the truth...and lying. After all, we're all liars, aren't we.
- bkoganbing
- Jan 9, 2010
- Permalink
Yes, I live in Northeast Ohio, but that's not the only reason I truly enjoyed this movie. The daughter of an acquaintance, 'Giggly Girl' Angelique Osborne, had a tiny part and I originally watched to see her. Now every time Bravo plays this movie on IFC Fridays, the phone comes off the hook, the popcorn is popped and I get good and comfy. The sentiment portrayed here, although it's roughly 15 years before my time, pulls me right in. The struggles of wanting to feel important (or at least to fit in), where to draw the lines of loyalty and figuring out what makes any of us happy are timeless. It never occurs to me that I'm watching Kevin Bacon or Brad Renfro. They become their characters. (Kevin Bacon proves he has a range most people don't realize and Brad Renfro, although beautiful to look at, also has that un-namable quality that makes you feel you're watching a future legend. Let's pray he finds his way safely.) Just as you never think about the set or the camera during a genuinely good movie, all the components of Telling Lies in America flow beautifully.
After reading some of the other reviews here, it seems some people can't be entertained with a good story and good acting. Some movies don't have to resort to the typical Hollywood recipe in order to leave a positive imprint in your mind. Too bad you have such a short attention span.
After reading some of the other reviews here, it seems some people can't be entertained with a good story and good acting. Some movies don't have to resort to the typical Hollywood recipe in order to leave a positive imprint in your mind. Too bad you have such a short attention span.
Brad Renfro is sucked into the glitzy world of ego maniacal disc jockey Billy Magic, Kevin Bacon. It is Cleveland, 1961, and Bacon finds Renfro the perfect patsy for assisting him in a payola racket. I could have done without the melodramatic subplot of Renfro and his Father, Maximilian Schell, sweating their Citizenship Papers, as it merely detracts from the main story. The 60s atmosphere is well done, with some great cars and an outstanding soundtrack. I wish the movie had focused more on Bacon's corrupt character, because the supporting cast, other than Calista Flockheart, as a love interest, is mostly wasted. - MERK
- merklekranz
- Dec 13, 2010
- Permalink
This is a charming movie that touches upon payola in the 60's. Bacon takes money for overplaying a song on radio, thus boosting its ratings, and uses Renfro as a go-between for these dealings so that the money never goes direct from sponsor to Bacon. After a while Renfro becomes bolder as some of Bacon's attitude rubs off on him. He starts lying about his background, car and things he's done to impress those around him. But he finally quits when he realizes that these 'white' lies hurt as well as the 'black' ones. When the FBI decide to pressure Renfro into giving evidence against Bacon by speaking to the judge during his naturalization proceedings, things take an interesting twist as the judge, before the proceedings, speak to Renfro alone and have a little chat about George Washington and the cherry tree. Won't spoil it by telling you what it is, but watch and find out, as it has a bearing on the movie as well. Calista Flockhart puts up a pretty convincing performance as well.
Kevin Bacon is the best thing about this film. He can play any
type of role, barely human (Murder in the First), a small-time
crook (The River Wild) or a twisted DJ (Telling Lies in
America). Here he is believable and puts in a good performance.
Brad Renfro also does well in his role, but isn't very
convincing. Two problems.
1.) He comes from Hungary, but has no accent, and sounds like he
came from New York
2.) Age. A year before this was filmed, he co-starred in The
Cure. There he played an 11 year old, and looked too old. Here
he plays a 17 year old, and looks too young for the role.
The other highlight is Maximillian Schell (I doubt I spelled
his name right). He is fourth billed as Renfro's Hungarian
father and is dead-on. Why Joe Esterhaus (Spelling error?) is
America's top paid screenwriter will never be known. He writes
lame scripts that deserve to be thrown away, but are instead
made into big-budget movies like this one.
(GOOD THINGS) 1.) Kevin Bacon's performance 2.) Maximillian
Schell's performance 3.) Plot line
type of role, barely human (Murder in the First), a small-time
crook (The River Wild) or a twisted DJ (Telling Lies in
America). Here he is believable and puts in a good performance.
Brad Renfro also does well in his role, but isn't very
convincing. Two problems.
1.) He comes from Hungary, but has no accent, and sounds like he
came from New York
2.) Age. A year before this was filmed, he co-starred in The
Cure. There he played an 11 year old, and looked too old. Here
he plays a 17 year old, and looks too young for the role.
The other highlight is Maximillian Schell (I doubt I spelled
his name right). He is fourth billed as Renfro's Hungarian
father and is dead-on. Why Joe Esterhaus (Spelling error?) is
America's top paid screenwriter will never be known. He writes
lame scripts that deserve to be thrown away, but are instead
made into big-budget movies like this one.
(GOOD THINGS) 1.) Kevin Bacon's performance 2.) Maximillian
Schell's performance 3.) Plot line
- (BAD THINGS) 1.) Pretty well everything else
- millennia-2
- Sep 1, 1999
- Permalink
I thought this movie was okay but not excellent It had the makings of excellence but didn't deliver mastery. 'Frustrating' is a word that comes to mind for my opinion of it.
I liked its music, even its plot, & innocence of some of its characters. I liked too, the underlying moral dilemmas of a young man of sincere & genuine character struggling with the plight inflicted upon him & them in broader prospectives.
But it has unimportant matters glossed over, without explanation or rationality, except for naivety for the gullible. Like the DJ Bacon character & his protégé (& others supposedly exacting this scenario in other cities) but so detached from the reality of their situations.
LIES is the underlying motive of integrity in situations anything but far from black & white. So it could have been the title of a film disguising lies. But it was not guilty of that by truer assessment.
So what about layers of LIES??? Are little white lies beyond a couple of persons, not surely to be distinguished from blatant & career or character destructive lies, layer upon layer, lawyer upon lawyer, judge upon judge, to be evaluated as lies??? So a movie that is 7 out of 10 is neither 5 or 9 out of 10!
I liked its music, even its plot, & innocence of some of its characters. I liked too, the underlying moral dilemmas of a young man of sincere & genuine character struggling with the plight inflicted upon him & them in broader prospectives.
But it has unimportant matters glossed over, without explanation or rationality, except for naivety for the gullible. Like the DJ Bacon character & his protégé (& others supposedly exacting this scenario in other cities) but so detached from the reality of their situations.
LIES is the underlying motive of integrity in situations anything but far from black & white. So it could have been the title of a film disguising lies. But it was not guilty of that by truer assessment.
So what about layers of LIES??? Are little white lies beyond a couple of persons, not surely to be distinguished from blatant & career or character destructive lies, layer upon layer, lawyer upon lawyer, judge upon judge, to be evaluated as lies??? So a movie that is 7 out of 10 is neither 5 or 9 out of 10!
In the early 1960s, Cleveland, Ohio immigrant teenager Brad Renfro (as Karchy Jonas) struggles with adolescence and assimilation. Mr. Renfro is working on eradicating the remnants of his Hungarian accent (his "th" sound). Meanwhile, slick disc jockey Kevin Bacon (as Billy Magic) arrives in town (one step ahead of the law), to spin "sweaty collar and dirty fingernail music" on the local rock 'n' roll radio station. Mr. Bacon is a payola player, who needs an underage kid to handle money illegal exchanges. When Renfro cheats on a radio contest, Bacon offers him big bucks to serve as "unwitting accomplice"...
Bacon swaggers through his role with perfection. And, Renfro is incredible, in a very difficult role; capturing the vulnerability of youth, as he struggles to both adopt and resist Bacon's seductive persona. Calista Flockhart (as Diney Majeski) is very effective, as Renfro's "older woman" love interest. Their performances should have received some award consideration. Maximilian Schell (as Istvan Jonas) would have been more believable as Renfro's grandfather, to support the obviously wider than envisioned cultural gap between the characters. A few of the scenes are silly, but many more work, due to director Guy Ferland and his convincing cast.
"I make things up sometimes," Renfro reveals. Don't we all. "Telling Lies in America" certainly breaks no new ground - but, it revisits cinematic themes in great style. The film builds to a fine conclusion, and the music is terrific.
******** Telling Lies in America (8/2/97) Guy Ferland ~ Brad Renfro, Kevin Bacon, Calista Flockhart, Maximilian Schell
Bacon swaggers through his role with perfection. And, Renfro is incredible, in a very difficult role; capturing the vulnerability of youth, as he struggles to both adopt and resist Bacon's seductive persona. Calista Flockhart (as Diney Majeski) is very effective, as Renfro's "older woman" love interest. Their performances should have received some award consideration. Maximilian Schell (as Istvan Jonas) would have been more believable as Renfro's grandfather, to support the obviously wider than envisioned cultural gap between the characters. A few of the scenes are silly, but many more work, due to director Guy Ferland and his convincing cast.
"I make things up sometimes," Renfro reveals. Don't we all. "Telling Lies in America" certainly breaks no new ground - but, it revisits cinematic themes in great style. The film builds to a fine conclusion, and the music is terrific.
******** Telling Lies in America (8/2/97) Guy Ferland ~ Brad Renfro, Kevin Bacon, Calista Flockhart, Maximilian Schell
- wes-connors
- Dec 13, 2008
- Permalink
Why this little gem didn't get major studio distribution is a real mystery. One terrific performance (Kevin Bacon)four very good ones (Maxmillian Schell, Calista Flockhart, Paul Dooley)and a solid, if not totally convincing one from Brad Renfro (where's the TRACE of an accent?) coupled with a right on script by Joe Eszterhas (rarely has the era been so well captured) makes for a surprisingly entertaining and accessible movie. No where does the movie cop out. The ending is convincing and slightly bittersweet. The dilemmas faced by the underpaid, exploited disc jockeys (in fact, most members of the musical profession) of the era is thoroughly examined. This is a great movie. Can you believe I got it as a bonus with my DVD MPEG Decoder card?
Hey, see it for the CARS if nothing else?
Hey, see it for the CARS if nothing else?
- EighthSense
- Jul 24, 2006
- Permalink
I definitely agree with those who think this is one of the best films of 1997. Great for Kevin Bacon fans. He is excellent as an AM rock DJ with a questionable past. I cannot believe Brad Renfro is only 16! He is already a skilled actor. Captures the late fifties very well. Those who remember the songs will love the soundtrack. A great collection of classic rock hits. Catholic school grads will also identify with Renfro's character and his predicament. The addition of Maximillian Schell is an added bonus. This is especially recommended for people who like good stories set in accurately depicted historical settings. I can't help but wonder if it is partly autobiographical for author Joe Esterhasz, who certainly redeems himself with this script.
- UncleBob-4
- Nov 23, 1998
- Permalink
Brad Renfro's untimely death brought this movie to mind. I haven't seen Joe Esterhasz's "Telling Lies in America" in a few years, but I remember that it was a good movie, Esterhasz's reputation notwithstanding.
It goes like this. Karchy Jonas (Renfro) is a Hungarian immigrant in Ohio in the early '60s. He has trouble fitting in with the world around him, partly due to his trouble pronouncing a "th" sound, and feels disenchanted with the Catholic church that he and his father Istvan (Maximilian Schell) attend. But when he hooks up with DJ Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon), his luck changes...with some strings attached.
I interpret this movie as sort of the flip side of "American Graffiti". In that case, they were all the same ilk and all fit in with everything. In this case, Karchy tries to fit in but has trouble doing it, and so his only option is to hook up with the shady Billy. More than just a nostalgia piece - though there are some oldies - we see Karchy's inner conflict between his desire to be a modern American, and trying to maintain his ties with his past.
Overall, I recommend this one. I think that it would have been kind of fun to play that trick with the confession booth. And just remember what people tell you about Spanish flower.
Also starring Calista Flockhart.
It goes like this. Karchy Jonas (Renfro) is a Hungarian immigrant in Ohio in the early '60s. He has trouble fitting in with the world around him, partly due to his trouble pronouncing a "th" sound, and feels disenchanted with the Catholic church that he and his father Istvan (Maximilian Schell) attend. But when he hooks up with DJ Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon), his luck changes...with some strings attached.
I interpret this movie as sort of the flip side of "American Graffiti". In that case, they were all the same ilk and all fit in with everything. In this case, Karchy tries to fit in but has trouble doing it, and so his only option is to hook up with the shady Billy. More than just a nostalgia piece - though there are some oldies - we see Karchy's inner conflict between his desire to be a modern American, and trying to maintain his ties with his past.
Overall, I recommend this one. I think that it would have been kind of fun to play that trick with the confession booth. And just remember what people tell you about Spanish flower.
Also starring Calista Flockhart.
- lee_eisenberg
- Jan 15, 2008
- Permalink
"Telling Lies in America" is an extremely appealing, and convincing, tale from veteran screenwriter Joe Eszterhas that one has to assume is at least somewhat autobiographical. It tells the tale of Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro), a Hungarian teenager who's moved with his doctor father Istvan (Maximilian Schell) to Cleveland. Taking place in 1961, before Beatlemania had become a cultural phenomenon in North America, it shows us the seedier aspects of the music and radio businesses as Karchy is taken under the wing of an ultra slick, charismatic DJ named Billy Magic, played to the hilt by a wonderful Kevin Bacon.
This is a very fine coming of age story in which a naive youth learns some hard realities about the world. Sometimes, people may seem to be your friend, but they'll really be just using you. This is also an interesting look at the immigrant experience in the U.S. of A. at a particular point in time. And, as guided by director Guy Ferland ("The Babysitter" '95), it does reasonably recreate the sights and sounds of Cleveland, when rock and soul music were really taking off. The soundtrack is an eclectic mix of golden oldies, and is supplemented by a plaintive if rather manipulative score by Nicholas Pike.
Bacon and Renfro are both excellent in the pivotal roles. Schell, Calista Flockhart as Karchy's co-worker (with whom he tries to build a romantic relationship), Paul Dooley as a priest at Karchy's school, Damen Fletcher as aspiring music star Amos, Jerry Swindall as Karchy's friend Croak, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a bullying classmate, all offer very effective support. Luke Wilson doesn't have a particularly interesting role, as he plays Karchy's humorless employer.
"Telling Lies in America" may earn its emotions a little more honestly if it didn't lean so heavily on that music score, but overall it's still potent and engaging.
Eight out of 10.
This is a very fine coming of age story in which a naive youth learns some hard realities about the world. Sometimes, people may seem to be your friend, but they'll really be just using you. This is also an interesting look at the immigrant experience in the U.S. of A. at a particular point in time. And, as guided by director Guy Ferland ("The Babysitter" '95), it does reasonably recreate the sights and sounds of Cleveland, when rock and soul music were really taking off. The soundtrack is an eclectic mix of golden oldies, and is supplemented by a plaintive if rather manipulative score by Nicholas Pike.
Bacon and Renfro are both excellent in the pivotal roles. Schell, Calista Flockhart as Karchy's co-worker (with whom he tries to build a romantic relationship), Paul Dooley as a priest at Karchy's school, Damen Fletcher as aspiring music star Amos, Jerry Swindall as Karchy's friend Croak, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a bullying classmate, all offer very effective support. Luke Wilson doesn't have a particularly interesting role, as he plays Karchy's humorless employer.
"Telling Lies in America" may earn its emotions a little more honestly if it didn't lean so heavily on that music score, but overall it's still potent and engaging.
Eight out of 10.
- Hey_Sweden
- Jul 2, 2016
- Permalink
Telling Lies in America... where to begin? It has an interesting premise... and an interesting plot. Bacon was great as Billy Magic, but Brad Renfro REALLY wasn't convincing as an immigrant. Sorry Renfro fans, he wasn't -- unless he emigrated from North Carolina, which is highly unlikely. :)
This movie kind of flirts with the dirty side of the music buisness, namely the radio-end, and how Karchy Jonas (Renfro) gets caught up in it. He wants it all -- the all American dream. Money, Popularity, and the girl. As for the girl, Calista Flockhart gave a very convincing role (bonus points for her reaction about the Spanish Fly!), and even though I am the largest Calista Flockhart fan, she seemed a bit.. old for Renfro. She looked good in the poultry store, and on the date, but other than that she did look in her late twenties -- a little old for high-schooler Renfro.
And of course the movie wanted to make you fall asleep sometimes. It just became a bit too dull -- nothing very exciting happened. Although that blasted "Medium Rare" song sure does get stuck in your head. *grin*
So I would only recommend this movie if you're bored and have nothing to do, or if you're a big Flockhart/Renfro or Kevin Bacon fan... oh yeah, Luke Wilson, too.
This movie kind of flirts with the dirty side of the music buisness, namely the radio-end, and how Karchy Jonas (Renfro) gets caught up in it. He wants it all -- the all American dream. Money, Popularity, and the girl. As for the girl, Calista Flockhart gave a very convincing role (bonus points for her reaction about the Spanish Fly!), and even though I am the largest Calista Flockhart fan, she seemed a bit.. old for Renfro. She looked good in the poultry store, and on the date, but other than that she did look in her late twenties -- a little old for high-schooler Renfro.
And of course the movie wanted to make you fall asleep sometimes. It just became a bit too dull -- nothing very exciting happened. Although that blasted "Medium Rare" song sure does get stuck in your head. *grin*
So I would only recommend this movie if you're bored and have nothing to do, or if you're a big Flockhart/Renfro or Kevin Bacon fan... oh yeah, Luke Wilson, too.
Great plot, groovy characters. This has it all! I would recommend this movie to everyone, well except for little kids. I really enjoyed it ( saw it 15 times in two days)! I am one of the biggest Brad Renfro fans and I say that this is his best movie yet.
It seems some people consider this a neglected "gem," a little movie that got lost among the blockbusters. Could it be it just seems good because it was written by Hollywood hack Joe Eszterhaus and is therefore superior to the trash that usually bears his name?
That's what I think, anyway. Being from Cleveland, I looked forward to seeing this especially since I even observed it being filmed on Superior Avenue on the steps of the courthouse there (and I did see it--on video, because it never got an official release, not in these parts, anyway). Watching Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro film one scene over and over and over again completely demolished any thoughts I had about the movie business being exciting and glamourous. It looked boring and monotonous to me.
I also find this movie rather boring. Kevin Bacon's excellent performance keeps it afloat at times, but his efforts are sunk by Brad Renfro who is never convincing and is even somewhat insulting when he attempts what is supposed to be the younger Eszterhaus's Hungarian accent. He sounds like a half-wit instead of an Hungarian. Maximillian Schell as the father is just dull, and should make the director regret his decision not to hire Charles Bronson for fear that it was "stunt casting" (Eszterhaus relates this in his book "Hollywood Animal"). Schell may have an Oscar, but Bronson was just as good an actor, and unlike Schell, had presence and a box-office name that might have gotten this movie a distributor.
It was nice to see the old CTS buses that I remember from my childhood, and I grinned when I heard the reference to my alma mater, Cleveland State University. But except for Bacon, this movie is lifeless. There is one other point in its favor: it seems to be sincere, something I could never say about anything else Eszterhaus has written.
That's what I think, anyway. Being from Cleveland, I looked forward to seeing this especially since I even observed it being filmed on Superior Avenue on the steps of the courthouse there (and I did see it--on video, because it never got an official release, not in these parts, anyway). Watching Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro film one scene over and over and over again completely demolished any thoughts I had about the movie business being exciting and glamourous. It looked boring and monotonous to me.
I also find this movie rather boring. Kevin Bacon's excellent performance keeps it afloat at times, but his efforts are sunk by Brad Renfro who is never convincing and is even somewhat insulting when he attempts what is supposed to be the younger Eszterhaus's Hungarian accent. He sounds like a half-wit instead of an Hungarian. Maximillian Schell as the father is just dull, and should make the director regret his decision not to hire Charles Bronson for fear that it was "stunt casting" (Eszterhaus relates this in his book "Hollywood Animal"). Schell may have an Oscar, but Bronson was just as good an actor, and unlike Schell, had presence and a box-office name that might have gotten this movie a distributor.
It was nice to see the old CTS buses that I remember from my childhood, and I grinned when I heard the reference to my alma mater, Cleveland State University. But except for Bacon, this movie is lifeless. There is one other point in its favor: it seems to be sincere, something I could never say about anything else Eszterhaus has written.
This was a nice little movie with a great performance by Kevin Bacon. The boy from the client was OK but not much depth. No nasty words and only minor sexual comments. Coming of age drama with great music and reasonable good performances. Worth watching.