Beijos e Mentiras

I have to admit that I was completely duped by the characters in this film. A psychological thriller mixing passion and murder, certainly not out of touch for a probable big screen release.

As a massive fan of Jaclyn Smith, she really does shine in Lies Before Kisses, and carries off a strong performance. There definitely is a little Hitchcockian-type feel to the film, which is spoilt by an uninspiring and extremely quick ending, but otherwise lifted by the great interaction between Jaclyn and the legendary Ben Gazzara.

Overall however, Lies Before Kisses is an interesting film, full of suspense, and good overall depth in all of the main characters. It does make a change to see Jaclyn in a role where she is not portraying a 'victim' in so many words, such were her roles in Nightkill and The Rape of Doctor Willis for example. Keen eyed viewers may also recognise the family home used in the film - it was the setting for two episodes of Charlie's Angels back in 1980.

I saw this movie it was good suspenseful and mysterious. A very promenant well known publisher is caught up in deception and murder, his troubles rise above the ladder he is blackmailed and framed fro the murder of a call girl he spent one night with months earlier. almost everyone in the family has motive who actually commited the deed? you will haif to see for yourself enjoy!

Apparently this started out as a made for television movie for cbs. The story begins as a who-dunnit, and where did the money go. But then there are some twists and turns. Not everyone is who and what we thought they were. Jaclyn smith (one of charlie's angels) and ben gazarra (anatomy of a murder, several huge cassavetes films) play the married couple whose lives are turned upside down when hubby has a fling. We think things are straightened out, but everyone starts betraying everyone. Smith always looks perfectly made up, wearing stylish gowns at all times. We see the kids at the very beginning, but they quickly disappear. Can't have them around as witnesses later in the story, although they could have helped later. It's all pretty low budget. It's okay. Directed by lou antonio; he was koko in cool hand luke!

This is a made-for-TV soap opera-crime story that I found much better than I thought I would. Despite all talk and no action, this wasn't boring and it kept my interest throughout.

Part of that was seeing two older television stars that I fondly remembered from past times: Ben Gazzara and Jaclyn Smith. Gazzara was best known, probably, for his role in "Anatomy Of A Murder" but I remember him in a lot of TV shows in the '60s and '70s. Meanwhile, although not a regular watcher of Charlie's Angels, I couldn't help but admire Smith's extraordinary beauty, which she still possessed in this 1992 film. So, it was interesting to see both of them later in life.

The story had two big twists in it, both involving Smith. The first one was a big surprise; the second, you could see coming. In all, okay but nothing special.

Apart from a flat and uninspired ending, this film is a little masterpiece of suspense almost worthy of Alfred Hitchcock. Without revealing the plot, I must admit I was completely duped by this one. You'd never guess the reality behind the appearances. Also there is one passage where you see people in court speaking to each other but there is no sound, instead there is a theme music I would swear was pinched from a Hithcock film. Eighty five percent of the film is very good and each new revelation has you saying " My God, I'd never have guessed it was that..........etc ). The only negative point is the ending which is rather flat and tepid and just does not do justice to the eighty five preceding minutes' suspense. In fact when you come to think of it the ending isn't really plausible at all, and I think something a little more dramatic and unexpected could have been thought up by the scriptwriter. So if one admits that the end is not up to expectations, the rest of the film certainly is beyond expectations for a film of this sort - Also there is very good acting all round and the physical beauty of Jaclyn Smith. So - definitely worth a watch!