Lying

On the basis of the sycophantic self serving drivel of Kudos for M's review I have opted not to watch this movie. Seriously promo guys have a word with this idiot. Don't really have anything else to say as I've not watched the movie. I think the 4 out of 14 (soon to be 4 out of 15) comments on the review would support the fact that this guy is a monkey though. Just trying to get to the ten line requirement that will enable me to post this abuse. Kind of tired now, I'm not going to lie to you. Starting to regret it. Getting a bit of the old RSI on the wrist from all this typing. I think i've done it. Ho hum , stay frosty and uh kudos to M.

I will try to be gentle here . . .

Have worse movies ever been created in all of known human history? Possibly, but as a sort of comparative reference, the all time "worst movie ever" classic - Plan 9 from Outer Space - could be rated as a seriously produced example of fine filmcraft.

This film Lying is so odd, completely lifeless, thrown together attempt at something possibly resembling a plot, that it deserves its own rating category.

Not only is the film itself beyond ridiculously awful, but on the DVD there is the added "interview" with the director, conducted with such serious, way over the top pretentious self absorbed pseudo importance supposedly associated with this production.

This is the extreme outer edge of unintended comedy . . . a Monty Pythonesque parody - only this was actually intended as a serious interview.

The rating category of 1 (awful) isn't low enough to actually represent the rating of this pathetic non-entity attempt of filmcraft.

I would suggest less than zero, perhaps somewhere between -3 to -5.

The one positive thing I could say for this film? It could be a good cure for insomnia . . .

LYING is a fey and contemplative film which attempts to examine the various levels and applications of deception. Megan, played by Chloe Sevigny, is a young woman who is obsessed with control. She honestly feels that if she is allowed to dominate and dictate events, everyone will benefit from her machinations. Her behavior is certainly neurotic, but her intent is not malevolent. The story is set on a beautiful country estate in upstate New York, and on an Indian Summer weekend, Megan invites three friends to relax and work on a short film project. The entire weekend is predicated on several falsehoods which the girls must accept in order for the prevarication to become real. Megan's actual mission is to see if she can induce her guests to enter a hypothetical world of her construction. The film is paced very slowly, almost hypnotically, and information is divulged sparingly which tends to heighten the effect of never knowing exactly what to believe. This film is not for everyone, but gradually and by degrees, LYING does enable the viewer to contemplate the art of manipulation. If you liked the classic Australian art film, PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, you will probably appreciate what M. Blash, the writer/director, has attempted in LYING.

Even though the movie has an intriguing start it ends nowhere. Megan is setting up for the arrival of her friends, moving the furniture, hiding things, putting things away, etc. She brings boxes filled with dolls and the movie spends a ridiculous amount of time placing the dolls all over the front yard. Many small details are scattered around during this first part. The point is that when the girls come, all of this material just got wasted. The dialog is nonsensical, so are the actions and the plot. The only thing that made me watch me till the end is to see wheather or not the movie was going to bring the clues together. It did not. At the end, when the lights came on the whole audience in the room sighed in with relief and was happy to leave. My suggestion is: spare yourself 90 mins of your life, I almost see every movie that comes out and am able to pick the good points no matter how small they are out of every movie. In this one there's none.

I recently had an opportunity to see "Lying" written and directed by M. Blash (What's with the M. btw). I was initially attracted to this film because of Chloe Sevigny, Jena Malone and Leele Sobieski, all of whom I'm a fan of and none of whom disappointed in this film.

Lying is an effortlessly realistic depiction of what it would be like to go on vacation with three other people you hardly know. The "organic" conversations; sparse, almost awkward dialogue which shows how women interact with other women who are basically strangers. The tranquil countryside setting is so beautiful, and it is a perfect backdrop to the storyline.

As a viewer, I felt like I was on the vacation with these women; drinking wine, eating home-cooked meals alfresco, and exploring the nature that surrounds the spectacular home that they are visiting.

The cinematography is very well done. It is simple, yet elegant. The emphasis on the mundane; such as making coffee, truly makes this film appear that it is following some of the neo-realist aspects of film-making. The shots are well put together and thoroughly thought out. The use of natural light makes the movie really come to life. The rose colored sunsets, the bright yellow sunrises, etc.

The performances are so understated, that they are completely realistic. Chloe Sevigny gives a truly magical performance as Megan. She floats through the scenes, breezing through the light conversations as if these were words that she would just be saying anyway. Her performance is utterly natural.

At the end of the day, the film is about coming to know other people's intricacies. It is a slow-paced journey through a sublime weekend in the country.

I would absolutely recommend this movie. It is the perfect summer film to watch while drinking a glass of wine and reclining on your chaise lounge.