White Lie

Newb producers, writers and directors Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas put together a gem of a film, where one's self-interest combined with sociological expectations and acceptance, blur into paranoid toxicity of constant lies that tear apart lovers, friends and families. Kacey Rohl was amazing in her role, and her facial expressions added more anxiety and tension than the lies themselves. Cinematography was perfect, and the score on point. The 96 minute runtime felt longer with the slow pacing and continuity issues in the writing. But even still, the constant anxiety you will have watching this film, is a testament to the excellent film-making put together by newbs Lewis and Thomas. It's a well deserved 8/10 from me.

This is a real hidden gem. Going into the film, I saw the trailer and read the synopsis. Both sounded interesting enough. Nothing could prepare me for how good this would be. Not that I thought it would be bad, but the plot sounded very simple. And that was confirmed after finishing the film. But even the most simple plot can make an amazing film if the acting, direction, and writing are all on point, as was the case with this film.

Kacey Rohl gives a really riveting, convincing performance. The amount of tension and suspense she's able to imbue on screen is remarkable. How she can emote so much with her eyes is really excellent. You feel bad for her. You feel she's a monster. You feel she's mentally unstable for telling this lie to everyone that she has cancer when in reality she doesn't. Amber Anderson is also great as her compassionate girlfriend. The writing was very strong and taut. There were no wasted moments. The directors do a great job of putting the audience in the headspace of the main character, and as a result, you're constantly on-edge. It feels like the rug can be ripped from right under you at any moment.

The only thing I kind of disliked about the film was the ending. It's very abrupt and feels like there should've been more to get closure as the audience. But it also sort of works because, much like life, and much like those living a lie like the lead in this film, there are no happy endings.

Highly recommend checking this out. Kacey Rohl is a complete revelation. This is such a tense, effective, thrilling, twisty, and unsettling film.

Absolutely loved this movie, good and plausible storyline, with great acting

Kacey Rohl's performance is as good as acting gets. But the story is just a series of events in which Katie's lie is about to be exposed, and she struggles to keep it hidden. It doesn't build, the characters don't learn, and there's no payoff.

I understand the filmmakers are trying to be real, and this is a serious and well-made film, but I can't imagine anyone enjoying it.

Mark Twain once said, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." The truth may hurt, and it may not be as glamorous as a lie, but at least it's honest. And the truth will keep us out of more trouble than we already find ourselves in. By the time we meet our protagonist, Katie (Kacie Rohl), she is well past that point. As the camera zooms in, we see her shaving her head. In the next scene, Katie is participating in a fundraiser for her cancer treatments. The audience still is not completely knowledgeable about whether she actually has cancer or not. But the thought has already been planted that perhaps she is not quite telling the truth. Within the first five minutes, the basic plot structure has been set in place. Katie is a college student and dancer who is faking cancer to raise money. The next hour and a half, we follow Katie as she goes from one meeting to another trying to keep her lie from imploding. The audience sees the depths she is willing to go through to continue her façade. Katie is in over her head and does not know how to come back from the trap that she finds herself in. One does question whether she wants to come back. The audience is left wondering if she likes the game. The movie is unsettling, as we watch Katie use and manipulate many people in her life to maintain her lie. The question that lingers as the viewer watches her twist her way out of each predicament, is whether it's worth it. What would happen if she just came clean? Katie is constantly having to remember details of what she has said and what she is doing. The audience is left with a feeling of exhaustion at her desperation. We really want to see her lie be found out. If nothing else just for relief. The filmmaking is well done with great camera shots and fantastic dialogue. Kacey Rohl's performance as Katie, is subtle and yet she can portray a character that the viewer pities.