Slow to start, but gathering pace before the end, this is a coming-of-age drama with a few twists. It also stars Colista Flockhart in a role just before she became Ally McBeal.
The story is based in part on Joe Eszterhas' autobiography, "Hollywood Animal" – the book is funny and insightful. I always remembered his description in the novel of arriving in America from Europe just after WW2 on an overcrowded ship. He was six years old, but the close proximity to hundreds of women ignited his fascination with them even at that early age.
His way with words and imagination produced screenplays for some intriguing movies – "Flashdance", "Music Box" and "Betrayed". But later on his films went off – maybe it was the directors or too much interference from the front office, but does anyone rate "Showgirls", "Sliver" or "Jade" as great movies? "Telling Lies in America" although late in his oeuvre, is more of a return to form, but doesn't pack the punch of his best work.
Set in the 1950's, Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro) is a young Hungarian refugee with a lot happening in his life. He is not doing well at the Catholic school that his father has struggled to pay for, and feels an outsider. He has fallen for a girl, Diney Majeski (Colista Flockhart), where he works part-time, but almost ruins any chance with her through bad decisions.
When he gets a job working for radio disc jockey, Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon), he not only falls under the influence of the edgy DJ, but also gets caught up in illegal dealings. All the while, his relationship with his father, Istvan, is a troubled one.
If the movie has a problem it's that most of the characters are not all that appealing with the exception of Diney. Even Eszterhas' alter ego, Karchy, comes across as a bit whiny and somewhat of an opportunist, while Billy Magic gives Kevin Bacon the opportunity to deliver a deeply-flawed character in a succession of neon-coloured jackets. Karchy's father, Istvan (Maximillian Schell), is a depressive character buried under a thick accent.
On another level, if you have read Esterhas' book it's fascinating to join the dots and discover where certain aspects of the story have come from. Some of Eszterhas' relationship with his father is explored here; the other half possibly comes to light in the brilliant "Music Box", although he claims revelations about his father's wartime experiences came to light after he had done the screenplay.
There is no mention of that in "Telling Lies in America", and the final reconciliation between Karchy and his father may even be the ending the author wished he'd had in real life.
Although "Telling Lies in America" recreates the era well, and has its moments, It isn't a film I feel like rushing back to.
The story is based in part on Joe Eszterhas' autobiography, "Hollywood Animal" – the book is funny and insightful. I always remembered his description in the novel of arriving in America from Europe just after WW2 on an overcrowded ship. He was six years old, but the close proximity to hundreds of women ignited his fascination with them even at that early age.
His way with words and imagination produced screenplays for some intriguing movies – "Flashdance", "Music Box" and "Betrayed". But later on his films went off – maybe it was the directors or too much interference from the front office, but does anyone rate "Showgirls", "Sliver" or "Jade" as great movies? "Telling Lies in America" although late in his oeuvre, is more of a return to form, but doesn't pack the punch of his best work.
Set in the 1950's, Karchy Jonas (Brad Renfro) is a young Hungarian refugee with a lot happening in his life. He is not doing well at the Catholic school that his father has struggled to pay for, and feels an outsider. He has fallen for a girl, Diney Majeski (Colista Flockhart), where he works part-time, but almost ruins any chance with her through bad decisions.
When he gets a job working for radio disc jockey, Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon), he not only falls under the influence of the edgy DJ, but also gets caught up in illegal dealings. All the while, his relationship with his father, Istvan, is a troubled one.
If the movie has a problem it's that most of the characters are not all that appealing with the exception of Diney. Even Eszterhas' alter ego, Karchy, comes across as a bit whiny and somewhat of an opportunist, while Billy Magic gives Kevin Bacon the opportunity to deliver a deeply-flawed character in a succession of neon-coloured jackets. Karchy's father, Istvan (Maximillian Schell), is a depressive character buried under a thick accent.
On another level, if you have read Esterhas' book it's fascinating to join the dots and discover where certain aspects of the story have come from. Some of Eszterhas' relationship with his father is explored here; the other half possibly comes to light in the brilliant "Music Box", although he claims revelations about his father's wartime experiences came to light after he had done the screenplay.
There is no mention of that in "Telling Lies in America", and the final reconciliation between Karchy and his father may even be the ending the author wished he'd had in real life.
Although "Telling Lies in America" recreates the era well, and has its moments, It isn't a film I feel like rushing back to.