The Trouble with the Truth

This was my final movie on Danielle Harris' movies binge. She's literally only in the opening scene. I assume this movie is based on a stage play from how it's filmed similar to the movie Fences starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. There are literally three characters or four if you include the female bartender. This movie stars my favorite version of Lex Luthor himself, John Shea as Robert, Lea Thompson as his ex wife Emily, and Danielle Harris as their daughter Jenny who has become recently engaged. Their daughter's engagement causes the former couple to meet up and have a dinner where they spend the night analyzing their lives and their relationship.

I respect movies like this especially when the dialogue and writing is pretty good. Emily is a successful writer married to a rich husband she's bored with. Robert is the struggling artist living in a tiny apartment and having one night stands with women young enough to be his daughter including the female bartender. The movie analyzing their marriage, what led to their breakup, their daughter's life, aging, success, and even Robert being conflict avoidant to even discourage his daughter from marrying a man who he believes is her fail safe. This movies makes the viewer take a reflection of where they are in their lives and are they truly happy. Is it wise to continue pursuing a dream if you're still struggling to make ends meet? Is success based on luck or chance? Their conversation even causes Robert to question his place in life as a single middle-aged man or was it wise for him to give up on their marriage. One of the final moments of the film was the realistic choice Robert had to make. It's one thing to live in the moment. It's another thing to deal with the consequences after living in the moment.

I figure it was going to be a movie based on stage play based on watching the trailer. I'm not for sure. I'm only assuming based on how the movie was filmed. But I appreciate these films because it reminds us to take a breather and reflect on where we are in our lives. If you like movies like Fences (2016), Before We Go (2014), Closer (2004), or Before Sunrise (1995) and its sequel Before Sunset (2004), you'll enjoy this film because it's based on the strength of the writing and its delivery from the actors. However, if you don't like stage play type films with only a limited number of sets, no action scenes and the actors simply talking to one another and expressing their feelings and emotions through words, then you should skip it. I really enjoyed this film. Would recommend and watch again.

A poignant human study handled honestly, showing all facets of emotions, "The Trouble with the Truth" shows us two people that we can see ourselves in, even the parts we may not want to admit to.

Jim Hemphill's script deftly guides us into a character study that at times is heart wrenching, funny, sad, desperate, hopeful, and in the end really gets us to care about these two people in a way that we care about good friends as they go through their up's and down's.

John Shea as Robert does a masterful job with a character that is easy to dislike at first. Opinionated and blunt at times but with a gift of words and charm he transform this bristly guy into someone with insecurities, doubts, and winds up with honor and hope that connects with the audience and shows us the bright side idealist that he was as a young man, truly in love.

Lea Thompson shows us the full range of emotions, her Emily is both lovely, desperate, yearning for the sparks of love in a life that is comfortable but unfulfilled. Her feelings for Robert, her ex-husband, is evident as the two talk. She is caring, funny, brutally honest about her current situation, cynical, sometimes dark and at the same time hopeful that it is not to late to make a change.

These two characters send us on a roller-coaster of emotions where we like them, dislike them, marvel at the honesty they share, and ultimately win us over with their humanity as each of us have experienced the emotions they bring to light. This is a can't miss movie that shows two actors at their best and a script that is powerful that will be with you long after the closing credits.

This was such a really good film for practically the entire ninety-something minutes.. and then they had to go and spoil it all with a boring, cop-out ending. The two terrific leads deserved sooo much better, as they worked their tails off during most all of the entire production. It's not unusual to see this sort of thing happen in poorer quality films, but when the standards were so high for the entire time in TTWTT, it just leaves you feeling somehow cheated coming away. Would have really looked forward to watching it again, might anyway, but in the back of my mind will not be able to get around the ultimate outcome (or lack thereof).

I love this little film.

It felt like a play in an intimate theater--two actors, a few bit parts, and locations that could have fit on one stage. This could not possibly work in a film except for two things: the amazing, witty, smart, true dialogue; and two astonishing performances.

There are a few films that capture the middle-aged heart well, and this is one of them. With all of our clearer hindsight, regrets, what may have beens, the specter of death ahead, and wondering what this one life really adds up to. For thinking people, these sorts of questions haunt us. And here – with wit and honesty - we see two believable, flawed, appealing characters ask each other the important questions.

The ending is good, for you leave the film wanting to ask if he made the right decision. Sometimes, the questions are more important than the answers.

And, a bit of petty praise, that was one heck of a lot of dialogue to memorize.

I agree with the review posted earlier; this is one of the best Indie films of the year.Lea Thompson and John Shea give excellent performances; you get the impression that you are sitting at the next table listening to their conversation. Part of this is due to the dialog and part because the director created a "natural" easy feeling to the film. The performers seem comfortable and I felt they had a genuine affection for each other. This is essential to the success of the film.

An outstanding screenplay, fine performances and a film that says something without being preachy. The Trouble With Truth is a carefully composed, intelligent and enjoyable film.