Lies. We have all told them. Sometimes we get caught; sometimes things go on without anyone figuring out the truth. It is a fine line that one must stand on, never giving too much, but always providing just enough to make things seem authentic. When Lonnie begins to tire of his dead end job, he creates a lie that will give him a few days to work out the kinks in his life and start fresh. But when that lie rolls into another even bigger lie, it quickly becomes obvious that Lonnie has gone too far to turn back Now, in an attempt to save face, our leading man must find a way to rid his life of the falsehood, or risk losing his family as a result.
Joshua Leonard, who first made headlines for his performance in the 1999 horror hit The Blair Witch Project, takes on writing, directing and acting duties in this film, which is taken from the short story by T. Coraghessan Boyle. And while I wasn't expecting much from this middle class relationship drama, Leonard's ability to combine humor and humility allow the film to become relatable to one and all.
Jess Weixler gives a mature performance as the other half to Leonard's Lonnie. She is rarely seen without her on-screen husband by her side; however, her presence bears a calming effect on the audience. She is left in the cold when it comes to Lonnie's lies, and because of that we can all relate to her. Her reaction to the uncovering of the deception is one for the books, opening the door to a whirlwind of questions as she begins to piece together the information and see exactly what has taken place.
In all honesty, the story is what wins you over with this film Granted, on paper the premise seems to lack originality; however, when projected on the big screen, Leonard's re-workings make for great entertainment.
The Lie is an indie movie through and through. The limited sets, the slow and steady beginning and the meaningful conclusion make it the perfect film for the stylistic viewer. Mainstream lovers will likely be unable to connect with anything the film has to offer. This one is made for the art house crowd, plain and simple.
