L.I.E.

Rating:
Summary: Instant Classic
Review: I bought this DVD and watched it three consecutive times. I cannot believe the powerful performances given by this cast, especially Brian Cox (Big John) and Billy Kay (Gary). This is a must see and will most definitely will be regarded as a classic.

Rating:
Summary: No Exit - Compelling, Ennui-laden Realism
Review: I shied away from this at first because of the "controversy," but found it just too true to life; a bit brutal, artfully filmed, plaintive, sad and strangely uplifting at the end.

It felt large in scale by examining the enormous confusion and pain of a very young gayish teenager. Yet it also felt intimate, in the way Long Island communities are clannish, somewhat corrupt, and duplicitous.

While exploring controversial issues of youth sexuality, it wasn't done in a tawdry way. Less provocative than Larry Clark's KIDS, but more cohesively structured and less seemingly exploitative.

Rating:
Summary: A sordid tale
Review: The L.I.E., or Long Island Expressway, becomes the metaphor of a boy's dangerous journey through worlds marred by burgulary, an automobile accident, and just about everything else that shouldn't happen to a child. Paul Franklin Dano gives a realistic and understated performance as Howie, a fifteen-year-old who recently lost his mother to the L.I.E. and may soon lose his father to prison. To make matters worse, one of Howie's friends has become involved with a man who may be a child molester. Brian Cox (Manhunter, The Bourne Identity) gives a creepy performance as the possible pedophile-a performance made even more creepy by the fact that he seems so human, concerned, and likable.

It's never completely clear whether Howie is actually gay, or just doing what he can to survive-which is certainly the case with some of the other teenage boys in the plot. Still, he is a fascinating character with a love for writing and books. His tenderness turns a sordid tale into a very touching one.

Rating:
Summary: Too real
Review: I must say, this movie sent me back in time and really touched me. Like Howie, I was also courted by a pedophile when I was in my mid-teens. And like Howie, I was never touched. I don't know if anybody who has never had an encounter with a "gentle" pedophile could ever understand the beauty and sadness of this movie. It moved me, it made me nod and remember fondly the old man in Apt 42 who always knew what to say to the teenagers to get them to come inside. Many of my friends did have sex with him, but I never did, because he chose to nurture me as a person during the bitter divorce of my parents. I don't know what I should say or feel about what he was doing to others, and I don't know if I stand fair enough to judge him by those deeds, but to me he was a savior. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he desired sex with me, but he knew that I was frail and needy, and to take advantage of me would be to ruin the innocence I had that had attracted him to me in the first place. He went to prison, so I heard, several years after I moved away from the apartment complex we lived in, and I had almost forgotten him in the last 20 years, but this movie brought his memory to surface. It is altogether haunting, and beautiful, and very realistic. Many of the conversations and situations that occur between Howie and John were seemingly verbatim of my experiences with my "gentle" pedophile friend. Very outstanding, morally challenging film that I would recommend to anyone who is able to get over their initial shock over the word pedophile.

Rating:
Summary: very moving
Review: I just saw this film, after hearing a great deal about it. I must say that all the controversy that has surrounded this movie is completely unwarrented. This was a beautiful, heart-breakingly done coming-of-age story. The pedophilia angle is merely one aspect of a very multi-faceted film. The acting was uniformly excellent, and the direction and cinematography were superb. Along with Mulholland Drive and Donnie Darko, one of the finest films of 2001. I suppose it is necessary to say that this film might be disturbing to some viewers, but art is not made to escape to. Nor is life, for that matter.

Rating:
Summary: Do what your father should have done!
Review: If your are a young guy and you think this film is not for you, your situation could not be further down a hole. If you are a father with a fifteen year old son and you can not take time to see this film with your son, this movie is about you. Pull your head guys, young and not so young, this misery and insnity has gone on long enough.

Rating:
Summary: SUPERBE
Review: L.I.E. (Long Island Expressway) is not the type of movie that everyone will want to watch. It is however, a movie that is sure to please those who are interested in seeing it. L.I.E. tells the story of a young teenager named Howie who befriends a pedophile, played deliciously by Brian Cox. His character becomes a mentor and father-figure to Howie, whose home-life is deteriorating rapidly. This movie contains subject matters too taboo and controversial for some narrow-minded people(hence no Academy Award nominations). Nevertheless, L.I.E. is a remarkable movie that certainly deserves prestigous recognition. If you can appreciate independent gems, you are sure to love L.I.E.

Rating:
Summary: Uninteresting and not even remotely believable
Review: This way over-hyped movie rang completely untrue for me. I didn't for a moment believe or care about any of the characters. I was extermely disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully done
Review: This was my pic for 2001. This movie was beautifully done...the pictures were gorgeous, the acting outstanding, the script mesmerizing, the direction by Cuesta phenominal! This is a must see and did not receive near enough attention. This should have been nominated for an oscar in every category. I absolutely adored the film and recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT ACTING!
Review: I just rented this movie last night, and I had very high expectations of it from the reviews I have been reading. And I must say that it lived up to all of the good things that have been said about it. The lead actor, Paul Frnaklin Dano, was incredible as was Brian Cox.

This film is about a young teen who is best friends with a con-man, Gary (Billy Kay), and the two of them break into a pedophile's house and steal 2 guns. Then, the pedophile (Big John) goes after Howie, suprisingly though, the two of them become quite close. Soon, when Howie's (Dano)father is arrested by the F.B.I, Howie has no one to turn to except Big John.

I thought this movie was very good and I definately reccomend it. Although, this film is not for everyone. Anyone who finds pedophelia or a depressing story too unbearable to watch, then you should not see this film.