Review of Lie with Me (2009) by James M — 01 Jan 2008

At its core: this is just another kitchen sink, domestic drama/with a splash of young adult angst. What distinguishes it (and perhaps makes it worth watching, as 3 stars indicates..) is that it is beautifully and inventively filmed and edited.

Many movies deliberately use the shake on a camera or grainy screen effect today. But this film applies those tools selectively and in service of the characters' mood swings. Hence we get uncomfortable zooms and soft focus at points where the heroine (Lauren Lee Smith) exploits and experiments with her sexual boundaries, never quite sure whether she is vixen or victim.

A series of vignettes capture the difficulties of male/female communication, especially when sex is factored in at the wrong time in a relationship. But this is not just a porno flick (al-ass): a genuine quest for emotional development and true intimacy pervade the movements of the lead characters and one can easily sympathise with the misguided steps they take in that journey under the quite frightening domestic stresses depicted here.

And, for all that philosophy, great lighting/sound/editing etc: there are some graphic, intense and alternately alluring/uncomfortable sex scenes, all served up by a hypnotically sexy and beautiful actress (the poaster may give a few clues on that score!).