Rating: 
Summary: The immigrant experience in America is updated...
Review: from a surprising source! Joe Esterhaz, not a particular favorite of mine, shines in the telling of his autobiographical "coming of age" story as a teenage immigrant in the early 60's. Much has been made of the immigrant experience in the earlier part of the century, but this film gives us insight into what it was like for Europeans to be transported to America's "golden age".Maximillian Schell is back on the screen, and welcome as the father of Esterhaz' alter-ego, Karchy Jonas. He is a bit puzzling until you learn that he was a highly educated man in his native Hungary, forced into menial labor in his new country of choice. He has instilled his belief in the power of being an American citizen in his son, Karchy, played by Brad Renfro. Renfro is believable and gives a delicious naivete to the role of Karchy, both in his words and deeds. His relationship to an older woman, Diney (Calista Flockhart looking real, not just cute) makes sense when you see how much she yearns for his honesty and his sense of wonder. Despite a high ethical standard set by his father, Karchy is a noted fabricator of fibs. Everyone who hears his stock line "Lots of times", knows he is lying. Enter Kevin Bacon, the perfect Svengali for a boy looking to become a man in the "coolest" way possible. Bacon is a hot disc jockey, whose personal code of honor is questionable. There is no question that this is one of his strongest performances ever. From body language to his Texas twang, his regret at how his life turned out (from a brief glimpse he shares late in the movie) makes him a standout playing an early 60's "lounge lizard". Bacon has a fine portfolio of work, but this is his ultimate role. Music and set are perfect for this nostalgic look back to the 60's. A great film, underappreciated by many.
Rating:
Summary: The immigrant experience in America is updated...
Review: from a surprising source! Joe Esterhaz, not a particular favorite of mine, shines in the telling of his autobiographical "coming of age" story as a teenage immigrant in the early 60's. Much has been made of the immigrant experience in the earlier part of the century, but this film gives us insight into what it was like for Europeans to be transported to America's "golden age". Maximillian Schell is back on the screen, and welcome as the father of Esterhaz' alter-ego, Karchy Jonas. He is a bit puzzling until you learn that he was a highly educated man in his native Hungary, forced into menial labor in his new country of choice. He has instilled his belief in the power of being an American citizen in his son, Karchy, played by Brad Renfro. Renfro is believable and gives a delicious naivete to the role of Karchy, both in his words and deeds. His relationship to an older woman, Diney (Calista Flockhart looking real, not just cute) makes sense when you see how much she yearns for his honesty and his sense of wonder. Despite a high ethical standard set by his father, Karchy is a noted fabricator of fibs. Everyone who hears his stock line "Lots of times", knows he is lying. Enter Kevin Bacon, the perfect Svengali for a boy looking to become a man in the "coolest" way possible. Bacon is a hot disc jockey, whose personal code of honor is questionable. There is no question that this is one of his strongest performances ever. From body language to his Texas twang, his regret at how his life turned out (from a brief glimpse he shares late in the movie) makes him a standout playing an early 60's "lounge lizard". Bacon has a fine portfolio of work, but this is his ultimate role. Music and set are perfect for this nostalgic look back to the 60's. A great film, underappreciated by many.
Rating:
Summary: The immigrant experience in America is updated...
Review: from a surprising source! Joe Esterhaz, not a particular favorite of mine, shines in the telling of his autobiographical "coming of age" story as a teenage immigrant in the early 60's. Much has been made of the immigrant experience in the earlier part of the century, but this film gives us insight into what it was like for Europeans to be transported to America's "golden age". Maximillian Schell is back on the screen, and welcome as the father of Esterhaz' alter-ego, Karchy Jonas. He is a bit puzzling until you learn that he was a highly educated man in his native Hungary, forced into menial labor in his new country of choice. He has instilled his belief in the power of being an American citizen in his son, Karchy, played by Brad Renfro. Renfro is believable and gives a delicious naivete to the role of Karchy, both in his words and deeds. His relationship to an older woman, Diney (Calista Flockhart looking real, not just cute) makes sense when you see how much she yearns for his honesty and his sense of wonder. Despite a high ethical standard set by his father, Karchy is a noted fabricator of fibs. Everyone who hears his stock line "Lots of times", knows he is lying. Enter Kevin Bacon, the perfect Svengali for a boy looking to become a man in the "coolest" way possible. Bacon is a hot disc jockey, whose personal code of honor is questionable. There is no question that this is one of his strongest performances ever. From body language to his Texas twang, his regret at how his life turned out (from a brief glimpse he shares late in the movie) makes him a standout playing an early 60's "lounge lizard". Bacon has a fine portfolio of work, but this is his ultimate role. Music and set are perfect for this nostalgic look back to the 60's. A great film, underappreciated by many.
Rating:
Summary: Growing up in the 60's as a nieve teenager!
Review: Great movie about growing up in the big city and finding yourself alone in a group. Great performances by Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro. Not evrything is as it seems on the surface and even good intentions can go wrong. One mistake in your life can effect all of your life.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!!!!
Review: I think that was an awesome movie! I am a total fan of Brad Renfro and I have seen all of his movies. He is THE greatest actor I have ever seen in the movies. Everyone should see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Brad is so sexy!
Review: I was suprised at how great this movie was. I've been a fan of Brad Renfro for a long time and I knew he would be great. Telling Lies is not your run of the mill coming of age story.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent choice!
Review: This film encapsulates the stuggle of the son of immigrants to become accepted into society. He wants to gain notoriety, but gets help from the wrong people. I suppose I am a bit biased (I was a dancer in this movie), but it is truly a heartwarming film.
Rating:
Summary: Its a very gratifying film it befriends the audience at once
Review: This film is very sweet in sense that we get to know what Karchy goes through when he realizes America isnt necessary a place you can get away with telling lies when he meets his idol Billy Magic.Personally I would recommend this movie because it has great performances from Brad Renfro,Kevin Bacon and Calista Flockhart.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent acting, gripping story, great sound track
Review: This is a story of a teenage immigrant who is an outcast is his private school. He receives no encouragement from his headmster, his father or, at first, from the girl he has a crush on. He is told that he is worthless and is tormented by his schoolmates. He lies to get a job with the local disk jockey whom he comes to idolize. Unfortunately, the disk jockey needs the kid to take pay-offs from record agents. But, for the first time, the kid receives encouragement from his mentor and is told, "You can do anything you put your mind to". Kevin Bacon is superb as the disk jockey. The fact that he is a musician as well as a fine actor shows in every move of his body as he listens to music and introduces it to his followers. Note that the song, "Medium Rare" was written by Kevin Bacon. Brad Renfro is also excellent as the kid. Buy this movie and you will find yourself wanting to see it over and over again. This is a movie for all ages. I'm a grandmother of teen agers.
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Movie That was Snubbed by Oscar
Review: This is the kind of film that has those moments of depth and power that make one wish to watch the film again and again. The cast is magnifacent. In my opinion it is the incredibly talented Brad Renfro that really carries the film. Kevin Bacon has received a lot of deserving praise, but it is Renfro who steals many a scene. He was 14 or 15 when he made this film, but his character is 17. He gives a very mature performance from the opening to the end's moving and inspiring freeze frame shot. Another notable player is Calista Flockhart in a pre-Ally McBeal role. And she is tremendous. It is a shame that Oscar nominations did not go to the three. Another stand-out element of the movie is the beautiful score. The music is completely in tact in its goal to provide an appropriate backdrop to the bittersweet mood of the film. I wish the movie had a soundtrack! I also wish that this movie would come back to shelves again! I want it for Christmas. This is definitely a film that one can not watch just once!
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