Review of Where the Truth Lies (1999) by Antoine S — 08 Mar 2009

Right, you know those films you want to see for like ages and for one reason and another they kinda get pushed to the bottom of the pile and then all of a sudden it pops out of nowhere and you're like "Aha, I'll watch you!!!" ... alas this was the case for Where the Truth Lies... and unfortunately it was totally bland.

Do not let the poster fool you, oh no, although very sexified a certain Miss Lohman struggled to carry the entire film on her own... (though for the record she was extremely sexified. Just so we're clear).

No, the movie has a script that tries to re-capture that smouldering noir sentiment of mid-40's and send it deep into the heart of the sleazy 70's, making distinct use ofa corrupt Hollywood backdrop, but overall falls short and ends up like a 13 year old's failed creative writing project... drearily narrated by a sleepy Lohman.

The movie constantly flits between Bacon and Firth as the plot revolves around both accounts of their showbiz duo's past in conjunction with trying to solve an oh not-so-grizzly murder. Not so much whodunnit but why and how?

... And that's about it really. The main thing that carries this movie is the chemistry amongst the actors, reflected through some pretty steamy sex scenes. A feature that got the movie slated for being "too sexy" (especially for Canadians) but the sex scenes are actually integral to the sketchy plot so you don't have to fast-forward them with your girlfriend/mum/boyfriend/other. Score!

Sadly you find yourself just generally not interested as although the characters are interesting and the chemistry is fairly strong the scenes are long and same points are reiterated over and over again. Sadly there just wasn't enough pulling power to make this film a headliner. Think Hollywoodland... but not as good.

Nice poster though! Two men casually staring at a topless woman. Says it all really!!!