L.I.E. (Unrated)
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Movie Reviews of L.I.E. (Unrated)
Movie Review: Powerful, disturbing, unforgettable film
Summary: 5 Stars
L.I.E. is one of those rare movies that takes a jaded viewer like me off-guard to such an extent that I had to watch it twice to see if I heard what I thought I heard and saw what I thought I saw.The performaces, especially Brian Cox and the cadre of young men featured in the cast, were phenomenal, almost effortless. The film hits the ground running and engrossed me from the start.
Mind you, the subject matter is disturbing. You want to look away, but the writing and performances are so compelling that you look at it like you might watch a news story -- unflinchingly.
In the tradition of KIDS, we see how nightmarish life can be for kids swept up in the deepest undercurrents of dark society. The lost innocence is so tragic and yet so familiar. Howie, the conflicted but suprisingly calm protagonist, brilliant portrayed by Dano, is one of the most unforgettable characters of recent cinema.
Brian Cox is definitely creepy, but at the same time he is endearing. You want to like him, pity him, but hate him and imprison him all at once.
The ending was a bit abrupt, but I suppose it was meant to capture the fluidity of life in a place like the L.I.E.
Truly a gripping and unforgettable coming of age movie, and one of the most compelling glimpses of enigmatic evil since "Apocalypse Now."
Movie Review: Do It Better Next Time
Summary: 5 Stars
The boy, Billy Kay who played bad-boy Gary in the film in a 2001 interview said, "no kid comes of age without meeting someone like Big John." Big John Harrigan is the boy-lover character played with great depth by Brian Cox. Cox once played a true Hannibal Lector in the 1986 movie "Manhunter". I want to say thank you to writer Stephen Ryder for bringing us this coming of age film even with a boy in it who charges for others to watch him making love to his sister. How much like my own experiences growing up in a small town in 1950's Oklahoma.
I would encourage Ryder to approach these subjects again this time pointing out how the politically correct are encouraging the murder and imprisonment of men like Big John Harrigan and the shaming and confusing of boys by way of their racist-like bigotry. The words Salem and Witches and Communist and phrases like `Burning at the stake' come to mind. Ryder, you need to take out the word "ashamed".
Stephen Ryder you might become our new Arthur Miller. You have got much work to do.
I recommend to you dear reader a thoughtful viewing and purchase of this movie, L.I.E.
Movie Review: Great movie with a message
Summary: 5 Stars
L.I.E. ( long island expressway) tells the storys of a 15 year old boy named Howie who is troubled over his mother's recent death and it starts out with him on the long island expressway where his mother died standing above expressway looking down on all the cars and having flashbacks of his mother. Since his mother died he lives alone with his father( who has little time for his son) and basically emotionally neglects Howie. Soon Howie starts hanging out with the wrong crowd and starts robbing houses with his delinquent friends. One day while robbing a house he gets caught and his friends get away. The person who catches him is a ex-marine named Big John- who is also a pedophile. Big john makes a deal with howie , if he spends time with him he wont say anything/ big john also comes to the jail to pick up howie after getting in trouble- soon they develop a friendship and big john (...) is there for howie when his father isnt. Big john never harms howie but instead develops a friendship with him and howie soon learns secret that binds his friend to big john. The ending is intense and i highly recomend this film.Movie Review: Passionate, Provocative, Profound
Summary: 5 Stars
This is by no means an ordinary movie, not even for the GLBT themed types. In fact, it's more realistic about the times we live in. Because of the gay-theme, it too will likely never be seen by mass audiences, a shame indeed. Essentially, the movie is about several teenagers, set in Long Island NY, growing up in a decade where parents are absent from their daily lives. The "kids" find themselves breaking into homes, and getting into the typical problems kids get into. Going deeper, the film follows the plight of Howie, 15 going on 16, dealing with the loss of his mother, and a somewhat absentee father who cannot relate to him. Intertwined is a dramatic coming-of-age storyline (and I'll leave the details at that). In Howie's world are his father, his new best friend Gary, a school counselor (she doesn't get enough credit), and Big John. Big John comes to Howies rescue, but in a manner most audiences would be uncomfortable with. The movie is so well directed, produced and acted, the viewer should instead see the compassion and care and love expressed. Twisty plots, and an ending not expected.Movie Review: NC-17 an Unfortunate Rating
Summary: 5 Stars
It is unfortunate that this compelling, insightful movie received a rating which is basically a kiss of death to a movie's success. This movie is an excellent look at a very dark problem, one which has made the news a lot lately, pedophilia. It in NO way glorifies that problem, but explores it in a realistic way. Paul Franklin Dano is believable as a troubled, but intelligent, kid, and Brian Cox is superb as the pedophile who finds something better to search for in his relationship with the boy. By making the pedophile more human, and not just a monster, the audience is forced to admit that a pedophile could be anybody, not just someone who might "look like" one. This is an intelligent coming of age story, an expose on many of the problems inherent when the family structure is either broken or threatened. Finally, I think it exposes how a pedophile can gain access to a young person- they may indeed fill a need the child is missing at home. I think that's a wake up call to parents to spend more time with their kids, listen to them, and love them, no matter how difficult they may be.