A Little White Lie

Why should a handyman with the same last name as a reclusive author accept an invitation to speak at an obscure writing conference?

The recluse wrote a worldwide hit, the quintessential coming-of-age novel, then disappeared. The handyman isn't a writer...or is he?

A fascinating and intriguing plot with stellar acting, especially by the primary protagonist Michael Shannon. He is ably assisted by Kate Hudson, the professor who finds the author, and Don Johnson, her ex-husband who turns out to be the savior of the situation.

The ending is Shakespearean and quite unguessable. No idea why this hasn't been a huge .

This movie is brilliant. It nails imposter syndrome and the writing community at large. It brought me back to my own days in an MFA program without ever delving into nostalgia. It shows the pain, irony, jealousy, and annoying life of modern writers and writing students.

It is a satire of imposter syndrome and the writing community. Understanding that helps what might seem like a strange story make sense. It kept me cringing, empathizing, hoping, and ultimately encouraged. I highly recommend, and I would show this movie to my writing students-or have them read the book, which, as the movie explains, writing students tend not to enjoy.

7.2 stars.

This is the story of a man who is living a mundane and pathetic existence. He is supposedly a famous author, and is invited to a convention where many authors, attend, and give lectures and presentations. He is surprised that he was invited, however he shares the same name of this famous author, but he is not that person. Or is he? We do not know if he actually is or is not said author, and the movie aims to confuse us.

At one point it seems he is the author, then it's quite obvious he isn't. Throughout we are left guessing. There are many symbols and metaphors and it's an interesting study of social classes and how they affect attitudes, reputation, mental health. I highly recommend this film. It will leave you pondering the life of all famous writers.

This movie draws you in slowly and then once you come to realize the deeper truths at work, goes a bit haywire in the last 10 minutes. I loved it, with reservation. Zach Braff is misplaced, he's acting a goofy comedy which this is not. The role of the detective is also played too light, in what could have added menace to the story. The role of the girl on the plane/writer is again misplaced. She becomes Shriver's buddy incredibly fast and is, again, playing it too light. Kete Hudson is the best Kate Hudson so far, and Shannon delivers the role made for him. Don Johnson is fine. The last 10 minutes, the film switches tone and becomes a farcical comedy straight out of some 80s romcom. What? Great up to that point.. Definitely watch, just be ready for the misguided tonal twist at the end.

A Little White Lie might be the worst marketed movie and yet the best ratings sleeper since My Cousin Vinnie. IMBD currently has a score of 5.9 Why? The trailer and promotional materials list it as a zany romantic comedy. Director Michael Maren didn't make that movie; rather he turned Chris Belden's hilarious book Shriver - a campy case of mistaken identity and turned it into a brilliant portrayal of imposter syndrome and writers block. The production values are more in keeping with a low budget comedy - such as Caddyshack or Dodgeball - and the cast including Kate Hudson and Don Johnson (and their scripts) would be perfectly appropriate for a rom com. The giveaway is the sublime Michael Shannon. He was the top choice by Maren after the untimely death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's his movie. Conjuring an exquisite metamorphosis worthy of Kafka. From a janitor who doesn't read to a a suspect invitee at a literary conference to perhaps the real McCoy? Shriver published Goat Time - a singularity of brilliance a la JD. Salinger. 15 years later, he isn't sure about anything. Could he have possibly written it? Is he actually a writer? Yet the festival draws him out of his cocoon. Whether he is the real Shriver or not - I leave to you to find out. Watch this movie. But temper the obvious expectation for a light comedy. It may be the next Being There. And an aside - the marketing team has some serious explaining to do!