The Good Liar (2019)

The Good Liar

I was totally blown away by this movie, it certainly must get the Oscar for best adapted screen play. The script was tight, despite the need to take us backwards and forwards in time, it remained focused and coherent and the tension just built and built. We were all gripped.

It had very much the feel of an Agatha Christie murder mystery with a denouement, however this would be doing this fabulous story a disservice as no one in the audience could have guessed the ending. The director mustered all the artistic forces to limit the viewers ability to guess anything, we were shown fleeting snippets of partial information and the narrative drive had no let up from start to finish. There were several moments when the audience gasped audibly, we are held in its thrall and tossed around by the cats-paw of the direction.

The plot was extreme in its twists and turns that some viewers will have thought stretched credulity, however like any good who-done-it the need to keep the audience guessing was the first priority.

Words cannot describe the acting, it was entirely invisible and entirely convincing. Ian McKellen was chillingly menacing throughout, enough to frighten the pants off you, and Helen Mirren appeared an elderly victim ripe for the picking, all this wrapped up in a cat and mouse game of clever and pointed dialogue.

Apart from Downton Abbey this is the best movie of the year thus far, as for awards all the three leads here are deserving but Ian McKellen's performance was deeply memorable and totally convincing in its horror.

Fmovies: ...but with a typical plot.

Granted I wanted a little more suspense in the movie because of Him Carter's (Mr Carson from Downton Abbey) character being the sleazy accountant who ends up having a modest tole. Helen Mirren plays her character well and effecrively, but some parts of the movie seemed very contrived, but I guess it all added up in the end...revengs is a fish best served cold.

I recommend it, but with resevatoon. Really makes you srriously think about online dating sites and speaks strongly that you can't trust every one you may meet or come in contact with in cyberspace.

In my opinion the reviewers missed the point. Of course you know from the start that Mirren's character will not fall prey, and within half an hour you are sure she will best McEllan's. The surprise is in how and why. Many plot twists, some quite dark, ensue. Two fine actors and a few good supporters at the top of their craft. Well produced and fun to watch.

The Good Liar fmovies. Once every year or so a movie comes along with no hype and slips under the radar despite being a gem. This is one. The powerhouse duo excellent as can be predicted of Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren carry the movie. An older cast can often be left to carry cosy Sunday teatime type movies but this isn't one. Has very light moments at times but don't let that fool you. This is a proper thriller. To answer the question in my caption??? I'm not lying. Highly recommended

'The Good Liar (2019)' is, in essence, nonsense, comprised of twists either far too obvious or completely out of the blue. Even though its marketing all but spoils its most major revelation, the flick still plays as a relatively unassuming drama until a final exposition dump aims to re-contextualise its plot, turning the affair into a pseudo thriller. Perhaps this is an effort to provoke a second viewing, but the movie doesn't have an ounce of ambiguity or, indeed, foreshadowing. It makes for a completely blindsiding ending that has little to no consequence because it feels so utterly disconnected from everything we've seen prior. The protagonist is suddenly transformed into something they never were before and we're just expected to accept it, to change allegiances at the last minute. This is a big ask and it makes for an unsatisfying end. Conceptually, it's fine, it's just that its execution doesn't capitalise on its potential. The picture isn't bad, though. It's forgettable and retroactively strained but it's engaging enough. The two leads are as good as you'd expect, playing ever-so-slightly against type and feeling comfortable while doing so. The actual writing is decent, if a little cheesy, and the direction is competent. There are a couple of OAP scuffles that work surprisingly well, too. Generally, it's relatively enjoyable throughout, despite some eye-rolling moments. It does feel a bit 'BBC 2' but it's not a bad effort, even though it's already fading from my memory. 6/10

Helen Mirren she's one of my favourite British actress and must say she don't disappoint me this time . Fantastic natural good looking woman with out plastic face . Love it ,her style and way she plays brilliant. I must say the movie has revenge and quite few twists ,with success for Helen . Well done