The Four-Faced Liar

"The Four-Faced Liar" seems to have an interesting enough title, and it is done very well for its low budget. It also has a whole host of problems.

Where should I begin? It doesn't really matter because the film itself doesn't begin anywhere, except for of course in New York City. I'm starting to think that young film-makers have never been anywhere else. It's supposed to be about four young New Yorkers finding love and figuring out life. But there's actually five of them; one couple just moved in together, one engaged couple, and their lesbian best friend. Which one of these is the insignificant character? I have no idea, they are all insignificant to me.

"The Four-Faced Liar" doesn't give me any reasons to care about these characters, and it doesn't give me any clue to where they are going (other than nowhere, of course, "because New York City is the greatest city in the world").

Influenced by "Friends", I think it's supposed to be an edgier and indie version of the show, except minus the comedy and minus any plot or storyline. "The Four-Faced Liar" even takes their title from "Friends". The show's original title was "Central Perk", the main hangout of the gang. Even for non-fans of the show, I would just watch a couple of random episodes, there would be much more in it than this film.

The Four-Faced Liar (2010) was directed by Jacob Chase. Marja Lewis Ryan, the film's writer, is also the star. She plays Bridget, a lesbian who is quirky, foul-mouthed, and very successful at one-night conquests. Todd Kubrak is Trip, Bridget's roommate and best friend. Daniel Carlisle (Greg) has just joined his fiancée Molly (Emily Peck) in the West Village. One of them sees their neighborhood as colorful and charming, while the other sees is as unpleasant and threatening.

Everyone hangs out in a bar called The Four-Faced Liar, and the four of them, along with Trip's fiancée, have a more or less "Friends" type existence, with alcohol substituted for caffeine.

This was an interesting film, with good acting and a solid sense of New York City. It didn't really work for me because the key to the plot is Bridget, and I couldn't believe that this irritating chain-smoker would be perceived as every lesbian's dream lover. If you can't accept Bridget as what she's supposed to be, the rest of the film loses steam.

Still, the movie had its moments, and the next viewer might find it as charming as it's meant to be. We saw the film at the Little Theatre as part of the excellent ImageOut Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It should work well on DVD.

I Truth had not very good expectations about this movie and i just saw it today as my part of the boring Sunday mornings.

It really surprised me in a great way because the actors were honest and vulnerable.

The leads actresses just have such a wonderful chemistry and they find their lives fits step by step trough the whole movie.

It is about choices, love,heartbreak, lies, truth, and most important...finding the person perfect for us.

This is the movie to the ones who doesn't see relationship only in a particular gender, it's more than that. The feelings involve were believable in every single scene.

A must see, indeed.

My summary for this review pretty much takes the cake as far as reviews go. There's not much more to say because this film is not an epic tale like...well, has there ever been a romantic- comedy with a lesbian twist that has been epic? Maybe there's one out there that holds true and strong to you personally, however the whole coming of age, finding yourself, with lesbianism on top- genre is not in grip of the main commercial audience.

This is a humble, down to earth film with a low budget that successfully tells a story with an ending that is both endearing and realistic. The movie keeps you engaged and moves you through it until the end. It is well written, well cast and well directed which is amazing. For those of you who appreciate film, you should watch this.

This is the true reason you go to film festivals. What a great discovery. Incredibly well written, very well acted, and characters you truly want to see just "Work It Out" I was just pulled into this movie wanting to see where it was going. Of course, setting it in New York was just too perfect and you had to wonder if this was almost a true story. (I have no idea) The cinematography was just amazing for such a low budget film. I was incredibly glad it went the direction it did...you'll have to see it to find out what I'm talking about. Look for this movie. Take a date, one of any gender, and enjoy yourself. Great job Slamdance 2010! I'll be thinking about this movie, this director and these actors for quite sometime. I hope they all make it