Rating: 
Summary: A disturbing, powerful piece of cinematic artistry
Review: The title of the film "L.I.E." stands for the Long Island Expressway, a major road which could be seen as a metaphor for the "roads" of the characters' life choices. I also see the title as a dark pun on the "lies" that individuals tell to others, and possibly to themselves. Director Michael Cuesta (who also co-wrote the screenplay) brings to the film a real indie grittiness."L.I.E." focuses on the character of Howie (played by Paul Franklin Dano), a teenaged boy whose mother has perished in an L.I.E. crash. The film explores his troubled relationships with his father, with his thuggish "friends," and most shockingly, with a predatory older man (Brian Cox) who has a compulsive sexual fixation on teen boys. "L.I.E." may sound like a blatant "issue" film about child molestation, but it's not. There are many different issues and character arcs at work in this compelling story. On a larger scale, the film is about such universal issues as loss, abandonment, betrayal, and longing. Contributing to this film's excellence are a trio of superb performances. Brian Cox has been justly celebrated for his performance as John Harrigan. Cox brings to life a character who is charming and funny, yet also grotesque, pathetic, and frightening. As Howie's friend Gary, Billy Kay is also amazing: his seductive, charismatic performance reminds me of that of Jude Law in "The Talented Mr. Ripley." But holding it all together is Paul Franklin Dano as Howie. His role is less "showy" than that of Cox or Kay, but he gives a nuanced, intelligent, deeply moving performance. These performances alone make "L.I.E." worth watching. There are some truly shocking and nihilistic images in this film; I imagine that it will be just too much for many to take. There is also a lot of humor, much of it dark or cynical, but almost always effective. Overall, the film has a symmetry and artistry which are subtle but impressive; a second viewing brought out some details that I hadn't fully appreciated the first time around. "L.I.E." is a truly remarkable film, one that I found to be intensely gripping from start to finish.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic Movie!
Review: Didn't know what it was when I went, but loved it! A VERY touchy subject (pedophilia) is dealt with in an extremely effective way. In addition, Paul Franklin Dano's acting job was wonderful. He played a sensitive, confused teenager with great skill. I highly reccommend this movie. I have to say that all teens and their parents should go out right now and rent this movie and watch it together. Parents: Don't be afraid of the subject matter, it really is handled with a deftness by director Michael Cuesta. It is real without being condoning or condemning.
Rating:
Summary: Easily my favorite film of 2001 and the past few years
Review: I went into L.I.E. on the surrendipity of it starting 5 minutes after I looked at the movie board and out of curiousness of the NC-17 rating. I had not heard, nor knew of anyone who had ever heard of the film. As previous writers have went into detail to describe act for act what transpires, I have the liberty of speaking more in general terms. This movie caught me off guard. I literally dropped my jaw at the first scene in anticiapation of the impending fatality. I then was drawn into the characters. James Dean's rebel was probably seen as shocking for its time, thus we are introduced to the year 2000 version rebels. This is a coming of age film that can be seen as a good case study of adolescents in transition from children to adults. Looking past the same gender courting elements, L.I.E. is an exploration into self discovery and identity formation. One moral that I came away with was how typical it is to have talented teens with both good and bad qualities who find themselves in predictaments in which there are no easy cookbook answers. An observer from behind me might suspect that I was not enjoying the film by my periodic "no" head shaking. In actuality, I was clapping in support of the portrayals by the time the credits scrolled up.
Rating:
Summary: No lie
Review: L.I.E. -- one of those movies I knew absolutely nothing about when going to see it -- that's the best way to do it simply because you can be totally objective. (...) Seeing this movie was an excellent experience! Why the NC-17 rating? You got me on that one -- there are a few sexually suggestive scenes (heterosexual), but none unlike those I've seen in an R-rated or even PG-13-rated film. Could it be the issues -- homosexuality and child molestation? I'm guessing yes. The issues in this film, and the awesome acting, make this film uncommon and brilliant. Rating: 4 / 4.
Rating:
Summary: A Unique Take on a Sensitive Subject
Review: This movie is very unique in that it shows that all people can find compassion and learn how to love. It shows how a hardened pedophile can care for a young boy without having to take sexually from him. The way that the actors express emotions without using alot of verbage is what really makes this movie for me. I thought the ending was showing that the pedophile now saw these boys in a different way, not merely as sexual objects but as human beings, lost and hurting inside. I read some other reviews and saw that others took the ending differently. I guess it is up to the moviegoer. Warning, there is not alot of nudity but it is an uncomfortable subject and can bring up emotions that may be unwanted for. Suggest going with someone you know well, definately not a first date movie, at least not in my opinion. Lisa Nary
Rating:
Summary: Risky Behavior
Review: This director took a big risk in making this movie. I was very nervous about the subject and a bit nervous about the sexual behavior of lost children made me a bit anxious. But the director kept the sexual situations hidden and made a hero/father figure of the pedifile as a caring person was amazing. It was so well acted by everyone. It almost played like a documentary but with a plot line and story. I give this movie 5 stars for the director's courage and the actors' performances and a compelling story.
Rating:
Summary: Howie and Big John Harrigan
Review: Big John Harrigan, played by Brian Cox in Michael Cuesta's "L.I.E," is a pedophile with possibly a heart of gold who starts up a relationship with Howie Blitzer (Paul Franklin Dano) after Howie and his pal Gary rob Big John's house. I am not convinced though, as some print and tv critics are saying, that Big John's motives are totally altruistic in regards to Howie if you consider only what is presented on the screen. Howie's mother has recently died and his father either ignores him or yells at him, so you can say that Howie has some deep rooted issues. On top of that Howie's sexuality is fuzzy and he definitely has a crush on Gary played magnetically by Billy Kay. When Howie's dad (Bruce Altman) is arrested for his involvement in a construction scam it is Big John that consoles Howie. But when Howie comes on to Big John in a tender, loving way Big John is repulsed. Why? Big John is only used to highway hustlers out to make a quick buck. This repulsion on Big John's part has been interpreted, wrongly I think to mean that Big John has a "lightbulb" moment and decides that his obvious attraction to Howie must remain platonic and fatherly. Not likely. In actuality, he's turned off by the affection and therefore spurns Howie's tender-hearted advances for the moment because he can't handle them. A scene or two later, Big John is back on the highway seeking what he knows best: the quick, loveless thrill. And this is what will keep him at arms length, as it were, from Howie. "L.I.E.," is therefore the story of a pedophile who cannot accept nor give love and not one who "sees the light" and
repents. Cuesta does a masterful job of pacing and revealing his character's quirks and Brian Cox once again turns in a sterling performance of a conflicted yet predatory character very similar to his fine work in "Manhunter." But I think it is with the young actors that Cuesta works the most magic: look for both Billy Kay and Paul Franklin Dano to do big things in the years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Unusual Slice of Life & Death in Long Island
Review: L.I.E., short for Long Island Expressway, is a bizarre film to say the least. A must for those who like very un-Hollywood films, but could be upsetting to some. The subject is a boy whose dealing with his sexuality, high school, the loss of a parent and a pedophile. Yes, you read correctly. If the subject of pedophilia is hurtful to you this is definitely not a film to see. The subject is dealt with very realistically and that is it's strong point.
The acting is brilliant. You should expect to see some of the young cast again.
Rating:
Summary: L.I.E. simply amazing
Review: I just came home from the Boston Film Festival's opening night performance of L.I.E. I was blown away. Brian Cox turns in what may be this year's best performance as a pedophile who ends up becoming a father figure of sorts to a young troubled teen who has robbed his house. Not once did this movie or any of its performances seem false, or forced. The story of young Howie Blitzer's coming of age amidst family problems (his mother's recent death, his father's involvement in a lawsuit involving improper building materials, or the slightly homo-erotic feelings that seem to swirl in the air when he is hanging with his "buds") is an amazing journey to watch. It is inevetibaly a sad tone that takes over the film, while young Howie tries to find his place to fit in his world, while it seems that everyone around him seems to leave. Great film, amazing performances, highly recommended. (In regards to the NC-17 rating, not once is there any nudity, or innappropriate or over the top sexual situations. Apparently, the MPAA felt that the subject matter alone was enough to warrant the rating of NC-17. It is too bad, too, because this is one of the year's best films and deserves to be seen)
Rating:
Summary: A lesson to everybody
Review: This movie deals about the strongest taboo so far and it does its job well showing the human face of things. Very well-acted and never overly acted. It doesn't have nudity but has some "teaser" scenes that leave you wanting to see more.
It deals with many situations a boy has to deal in real life such as confusing feelings, misuderstanding from his father, problems with bullies at school, homoerotic romance and intergenerational consensual seduction.
On the other hand, it shows the human side of a paedophile in his search for ephimeral beauty that lasts short time. L.I.E. gives a strong lesson to everybody, specially for boylovers as if asking them: "Will you love your boy even after he has grown?"
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