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| The Hoax - 2007 |
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Movie Reviews -- week of 04/23/2007 |
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Review: Unable to land a legitimate
book deal with McGraw-Hill, Clifford Irving (Richard Gere) tries another
angle. He thoroughly convinces the editors that he is in contact with
the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes and that he has been chosen
by Mr. Hughes to assist him in writing his autobiography. Thus the
lie is born and the scam is set into motion. Friend, and author, Dick
Susskind (Alfred Molina) goes along with the hoax as a dedicated friend
and business partner, always there to lend a hand.
With the gall and finesse that only a master of deceit can pull off,
Irving carries off his plan in spite of any number of roadblocks,
including inspections by handwriting analysts, psychologists and wary
publishers. Boldly, brilliantly and never backing down as inch, the
scammer-biographer ventures forward with his project, never flinching,
never looking back.
One very interesting aspect of the film is its political backdrop,
the turbulent 1970’s. Film clips of Nixon, references to Watergate,
street riots, anti-war demonstrations and vintage music give the viewers
a trip back in time. The old adage of truth being stranger than fiction
certainly applies to “The Hoax,” the Clifford Irving book
that serves as the basis for the movie.
Marcia Gay Harden is great as Clifford’s long suffering wife
and his partner in crime, Edith. Well acted and carefully directed
by Lasse Hallstrom, anyone who loves a good scam will enjoy watching
“The Hoax.”
by Mary Morgan is a member of
the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association. |
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 2007
Movie Reviews |
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