Any geromovies lover would not miss a Helen Mirren movie, especially when Ian McKellen along her side. So, one cannot be surprised that I went with high expectations to see The Good Liar.
The Good Liar is a 2019 American drama, directed by Bill Condon, is based on a novel (of the same name) written by NIcholas Searle.
The plot in general surrounds around an aging British con artist Roy Courtnay (McKellen), who targets Betty (Mirren) - a wealthy widowed and retired history teacher. Most of the movie describes the development of their relationships, as Roy slowly gains Betty's trust, and how he convinces her to basically hand over her assets and money. Without spoiling the twists, I would say that naturally, the plot has a surprising end.....
As a movie in general, it was a great disappointment. While the acting of both Mirren and McKellen is superb - they cannot overcome the unreliable script, and slowness of the plot, and the - eventually - not surprising and quite expected turn of events. The movie as a whole was simply not interesting.
As a gerontological movie - yet again - there was nothing new or interesting. While there were a few good moments reflecting insights regarding intimacy in old age, or interesting descriptions of inter generational relationships (re Betty and her grandson) - overall, in most of the time, the movie traveled along the well known stereotypical pictures of aging criminals (men) and older rich women (widowed, lonely, naive, searching for love).
So, bottom line - you can skip this one....
USA
Year: 2019
Director: Bill Condon
Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljKzFGpPHhw
Comments