L.I.E. (USA; 081min.) directed by: Michael Cuesta starring: Brian Cox; Paul Franklin Dano; Billy Kay

Bob says: "L.I.E., at its base, is a pretty standard rites of passage story: a young boy considers his life and what he wants to become, or senses himself becoming, within a context that involves one absent parent, another who is almost completely alienated from him, new friends who are pointing him in new directions, the beginnings of his sexual awakening, and an older man who wants to act as something akin to a role model. Through it all is the image of the Long Island Expressway (it’s also mentioned in a rather trite voice-over that frames the film), taking on the role of the river that seems to be present in many stories of similar theme (Huckleberry Finn, SIDDHARTHA, etc.), complete with metaphors of motion, time, power, danger, and potential promise. The boys are often seen walking along the service roads that parallel the expressway, Big John’s favorite haunt is at a rest stop, and the above-mentioned voice-over plays during a scene in which Howie stands on the railing of an overpass, demonstrating his respect for the power of this river by testing himself. So the film really isn’t a radical departure at all, but there’s nothing wrong with the idea of taking a standard, almost universal form, and turning the perspective on it just a bit so that people can have the opportunity to see that even those of us whose lives seem radically different actually go through the same growing pains and conflicts as the rest of us do. Mind you, it is just an opportunity – I doubt anyone watching this film is actually forced into seeing anything in a new perspective. That much was made clear to me by some of the comments I overheard from the audience. The performances are generally very strong, but I was most impressed with Brian Cox (Big John). He brings a great deal of complexity and humanity to a character whom people are not going to want to see as a complex human. I’m sure that everyone would be much more comfortable with Big John if they could simply attach the “evil” label to him, not unlike the way his own vanity license plate serves to label him. (I didn’t see MANHUNTER, but apparently Cox was the original Hannibal Lecter, and I imagine he played that character as straight evil.) But Cox gives us so much in the Big John character that I doubt anyone can sit through the film without finding themselves relating to him, even if only for a moment."

Diane says: "Yes to acting kudos for Billy Kay (Gary) and Brian Cox especially. I wish the father's story had been largely jettisoned, and the story with the older boy (Big John's housemate) toned down. I don't agree with Michael's criticism of the way Big John was presented: I was satisfied with how his instinct to help the kid dueled with the attraction he was ashamed of. Howie's character--his searching, romanticism, shift to seduction of Big John--rang true." 3 cats

Jim says: "I really liked this film and recommend it." 4 1/2 cats

Laura says: "L.I.E. is like a suburban, humanistic KIDS without the sensationalism." For Laura's complete review: "http://www.reelingreviews.com/lie.htm"

Michael says: "L.I.E. was a well-acted film with some really interesting ideas, and occassionally great execution. Unfortunately, I felt that overall it was a disappointment. There was certainly very little daring, original or unexpected about the story. Basically, this is a coming of age story about a 15-year-old boy living with his father (his mother has died) trying to wrestle with his emerging sexuality. Early scenes with Howie and his best friend Gary are realistic and powerfully done. The boys' relationship is clearly defined. Unfortunately, when Gary leaves the story suddenly, things get a little less interesting. The controversial character of Big John was a bit of a disappointment. Billed as a sympathetic pedophile, I found him to be a little TOO nice. I think he and Howie should have had sex in the film in order for it to be effective. The abrupt change from... I want to be your lover to I want to be your father, lessend the power of many of the scenes and situations. And speaking of fathers, Howie's father was something of a buffoonish character, while everyone else was so real. There were lots of good things about L.I.E. Paul Franklin Dano as Howie, Billy Kay as Gary and Brian Cox as Big John were all outstanding. Marcia DeBonis has a small supporting roll as a Guidance Counselor and she was great too. The filming was very nice, with lots of terrific scenes. (The parallel room searches by the two boys, The scene where Howie's father tries to reach out to him in his bedroom, some of the scenes of the boys hanging out with their friends). Oh, and the climax, involving Big John and his current/former "boy," Scottie was so overshadowed... like being hit in the head with a club, actually. And seemingly unnecessary. So, L.I.E. is really uneven. There are some really wonderful moments, and some that are less so... but I would still say worth seeing." 3 cats

Stephen says: "Director Michael Questa, working from a screenplay he wrote with his father, Gerald, and his father's friend, Stephen M. Ryder, knows how to crank up the tensions and keep them aboil. He shows us the intricate little dance that two people do as they sniff out each other's sexual availability, and makes this matter by pointing us towards the implications for Howie, for the other boys in Big John's circle, and even for Big John himself. We are frequently on the edges of our seats as we try to scope out just how Big John is going to affect Howie as he takes on the role of guiding him through a more dangerous than usual adolescent mine field. " L.I.E. is a serious movie with serious things to say about growing up in the contemporary world. It respects its characters with the honesty necessary to describe them in more than two-dimensional, either-or terms. For this it has been condemned by the Hollywood establishment. This same establishment recently allowed a tittilatingly jokey relationship to develop between a 35-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy in the inept comedy WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER to go forth with an R rating. This double standard has to be confronted, and one of the best ways to begin is to take some friends to see this movie. ." For Stephen's complete review: "http://www.stephenbrophy.org/review/queer/lie.htm"