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IMDbPro

A Little White Lie

  • 2023
  • R
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
3K
YOUR RATING
Don Johnson, Kate Hudson, Zach Braff, and Michael Shannon in A Little White Lie (2023)
When a handyman living in New York City is mistaken for a famous and famously reclusive writer, he's brought to a university where he to deliver a keynote address to save the school's literary festival.
Play trailer2:30
3 Videos
39 Photos
Comedy

When a handyman living in New York City is mistaken for a famous and famously reclusive writer, he's brought to a university where he is to deliver a keynote address to save the school's lit... Read allWhen a handyman living in New York City is mistaken for a famous and famously reclusive writer, he's brought to a university where he is to deliver a keynote address to save the school's literary festival.When a handyman living in New York City is mistaken for a famous and famously reclusive writer, he's brought to a university where he is to deliver a keynote address to save the school's literary festival.

  • Director
    • Michael Maren
  • Writers
    • Michael Maren
    • Chris Belden
  • Stars
    • Michael Shannon
    • Kate Hudson
    • Don Johnson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Maren
    • Writers
      • Michael Maren
      • Chris Belden
    • Stars
      • Michael Shannon
      • Kate Hudson
      • Don Johnson
    • 41User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    Official Trailer
    A Little White Lie: Imposter
    Clip 1:06
    A Little White Lie: Imposter
    A Little White Lie: Imposter
    Clip 1:06
    A Little White Lie: Imposter
    A Little White Lie: Private Reading
    Clip 1:38
    A Little White Lie: Private Reading

    Photos39

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    Top cast33

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    Michael Shannon
    Michael Shannon
    • Shriver
    Kate Hudson
    Kate Hudson
    • Simone Cleary
    Don Johnson
    Don Johnson
    • T. Wasserman
    Peyton List
    Peyton List
    • Sophie Firestone
    Zach Braff
    Zach Braff
    • Real Shriver
    Wendie Malick
    Wendie Malick
    • Dr. Bedrosian
    Da'Vine Joy Randolph
    Da'Vine Joy Randolph
    • Delta Jones
    Jimmi Simpson
    Jimmi Simpson
    • Detective Karpas
    Perry Mattfeld
    Perry Mattfeld
    • Layla
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • Professor Arthur Baldwin
    Kate Linder
    Kate Linder
    • College President
    Romy Byrne
    • Teresa
    Tiffany Bank
    Tiffany Bank
    • Rose
    Chris Belden
    • Clem Tuttle
    Mark Boone Junior
    Mark Boone Junior
    • Lenny
    Mark Brocksmith
    Mark Brocksmith
    • Man In Bathrobe
    David Cade
    David Cade
    • Cheadum
    Jordan Feldman
    Jordan Feldman
    • TSA Agent
    • Director
      • Michael Maren
    • Writers
      • Michael Maren
      • Chris Belden
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews41

    5.92.9K
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    Featured reviews

    7streamingmovienight

    Worth a watch

    "I only wonder if your little deception plays out as a comedy or a tragedy......... Is there any difference?"

    It starts out a little slow but I couldn't look away wondering where it was all going. As it moves along it keeps you wondering who is the real writer Shriver. It is a comedy and a funny look at the world of writing. I liked it. I really liked Michael Shannon in this as well as the familiar faces of Don Johnson, Kate Hudson and M. Emmet Walsh.

    Is it a Hollywood Blockbuster? No. Is it for everyone? No. But if you have any interest in writing, reading Novels or Michael Shannon it is worth a watch.
    thearchives

    Understated, poetic, funny, and Brilliant until...

    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.
    7MickyG333

    Metaphorical

    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.
    TxMike

    Quirky story, Shannon is really effective in the lead role.

    My first recollection of actor Michael Shannon was in the 1993 "Groundhog Day" when he was still a teenager playing Fred, a newlywed who was given tickets to WrestleMania by Bill Murray's Phil. Since then I have seen him in almost 40 movies in a great variety of roles, often unsung, he has become a quite accomplished actor.

    Here he is Shriver, working as a janitor and in general leading a very dull life. By chance he has the same name as a famous but reclusive author who has dropped off the radar since his first and only book was a resounding success.

    Kate Hudson is Simone Cleary, a former writer but now a literature and writing professor at a private college in the Los Angeles area. She is in change of an annual event on campus to inspire future writers and she is trying to get the author, Shriver, to be the guest this year.

    Janitor Shriver is reluctant and scared, there may be some benefit to his agreeing to go and impersonate the real Shriver, and eventually decides to get on the plane and take them up on the invitation.

    Most of the story is a fish out of water, this Shriver has no clue how to interact with the others or what an appropriate response might be to various questions and inquiries. I felt uncomfortable myself for him, wondering how he would be able to navigate the event and the appearances he needed to make.

    The script is good and Shannon does a really great job playing the character. Another very entertaining character is played by Don Johnson as professor T. Wasserman. As the story unfolds we start to wonder, "Is this janitor really the author, Shriver, and somehow lost touch with who he really is?"

    I really enjoyed this movie, watched at home with my wife, streaming. A quite different movie, done very well.
    10lallnutt-32137

    A satire about writers and the literary community

    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.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      In 2014 writer/director Michael Maren heard Chris Belden reading from his novel "Shriver" in a Massachusetts bookstore. He optioned the material on the spot.
    • Goofs
      Boom mic visibly dipping in-shot when Wasserman and Shriver ditch the play to share a drink on the bleachers.
    • Quotes

      Shriver: I wonder if your little deception plays out as a comedy or a tragedy.

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    FAQ

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 3, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • L'Imposteur
    • Production companies
      • CaliWood Pictures
      • Big Fan Films
      • Thruline Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,482
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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    Don Johnson, Kate Hudson, Zach Braff, and Michael Shannon in A Little White Lie (2023)
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