Paul Dano, Brian Cox, Billy Kay

A 15-year-old Long Island boy loses everything and everyone he knows, soon becoming involved in a relationship with a much older man.

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78% liked it

1,241 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

82 critics

NC-17, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Michael Cuesta

Release Date: September 7, 2001

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

Stats: 346 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (346)


  • April 28, 2009
    L.I.E. successfully merges hidden desires/homosexual ambiguities with the inner will for a getaway from reality. Paul Dano and Brian Cox are marvelous. A true masterpiece that always manages to sneak up on you when you least expect it.
  • December 9, 2008
    "L.I.E." is a rare treat that echoes a film like "Happiness" in that it tries to make us sympathize with characters we have horrendous preconceived notions about. In "Happiness", we were dealing with a pedophile father, and writer/director Todd Solondz asked us to look at him fro...( read more)m an unbiased perspective. In "L.I.E.", we're dealing with a pederast (he's attracted to teenage boys only), and he ends up being the most sympathetic and full character in the film. While neither director forgives the characters for what they do, they are both capable of turning these monsters of society into three-dimensional beings that we almost root for.

    The film opens with Howie Blitzer (Paul Dano) standing on a bridge over the L.I.E., Long Island Expressway, with one foot planted sternly and the other daring to fall. He declares that this road has claimed countless lives, including his mother, and he will not let it consume him. Howie is the typical troubled suburban kid we see in many of these films, and he certainly has his daddy issues. His father, Marty (Bruce Altman), has a new younger woman as a girlfriend and is involved in some sort of shady construction scheme. This scheme will eventually land Marty in prison, although Howie initially misinterprets this as abandonment.

    Howie and his buddies, including Gary (Billy Kay), frequently break into houses and steal any valuable goods they can get their hands on. One day, they break into the house of Big John (Brian Cox), a former marine, and steal two of his pistols. On their way out, Big John snatches the pocket off of Howie's pants and uses it to find the culprit. Eventually, Big John does catch up with Howie, and invites him into his home. It's there that we discover that Big John is a pederast, and Gary is one of his clients. Howie is expected to "work off" the money they had stolen, however it's never clarified whether or not Big John sees Howie as a potential client or not. Howie, who had previously had an unspoken sexual attraction to Gary, earns confidence because of Big John's romantic pursuit to the point where he recites Walt Whitman until all Big John can muster is "Are you trying to seduce me?"

    I hadn't even heard a plot synopsis of the film when I sat down to watch it, so you could imagine my surprise when it turned from a film about troubled teenagers with daddy issues into a film about a young man discovering sexuality with a pederast. However, what director Michael Cuesta does that is absolutely remarkable is that he treats Big John respectfully enough that we don't think of him as a creep. At first, sure, we are disgusted by him as he grabs Howie's knee and introduces him to "his world" - but by the end of the film, he's the character we've grown to most care about. He's a fascinating character in that even though he seems only interested in sex at the beginning, by the end he's evolved into a father figure for his "clients" (which certainly confuses the already in-over-his-head Howie).

    Without an actor like Brian Cox, this material wouldn't have worked. Cox is enormously underrated despite appearing in countless films, and he's at his best here. There's something so gentle and caring about him, he's like a charismatic uncle of sorts. It was interesting to see such a young Paul Dano after his recent work in "Little Miss Sunshine" and "There Will Be Blood", and he certainly got off to a great start from a young age. Billy Kay's supporting performance is also very powerful, and his relationship with Howie was one of the more fascinating film relationships i've seen in quite some time.

    "L.I.E.", however, certainly has it's issues. At times it seems disjointed and directionless, and Howie's real father is too underdeveloped and uninteresting to care about. But the worst offense is a horrendous cop-out ending that is enormously unsatisfying. For a film that had been so carefully plotted previous to that moment, it really leaves a sour taste in your mouth. I don't have the DVD, but i'd be shocked if there wasn't an alternate ending somewhere... needless to say, this was the wrong one.

    This definitely isn't a film for everyone, but those who can overlook the disturbing material should find something to enjoy.
  • October 7, 2007
    Fearless, that's the right word to describe this film. Everything is in its right place and I was actually speechless at the perfection of the screenplay, so round, complete and flawless, everything happens for a reason and there aren't any loose ends. Paul Dano is wonderful but ...( read more)Billy Kay steals the show in what is the sexiest S.O.B. in film in the last decade, probably more. It was sad that his character disappears so early in the film but the time he is in it he IS IN IT! Outstanding direction for young actors creating extreme characters that go beyond the screen to kick you in the balls.
    But the real motherfucker deal in the whole movie is BY FAR the extraordinary Brian Cox. Not even in his wonderful performances in "X2" or "Adaptation" he has been as haunting and larger-than-life as in this one, his best performance to date. Such an underrated actor deserved this role as a proof of his guts and talent. Big John is as charming and sexy-bastard as he is TERRIFYING! He scares the crap out of you not without making you love him all the way. Big John is one of the top characters of the new century and "L.I.E.", Michael Cuesta and Paul Dano found exactly what they needed: a lane straight to film Heaven!
  • February 1, 2007
    This film is amongst some of the most disturbing ever, but also one of the greatest of the year. Terrific writing from Michael and Gerald Cuesta and Stephen M. Ryder. The screenplay is very original and so are the characters. This film resembles in many ways the recent [i]Mysteri...( read more)ous Skin[/i], but a little less graphic. It deals with a coming-of-age story of a young boy who begins to develop into a man with bad influences and many things going wrong in his life.

    Howie (Dano) is a fifteen-year-old kid who has managed to lose everything important in his life in a short week, ends up finding himself in the process. His mother has just died, his father is a building contractor who can barely keep tabs on his young girlfriend, let alone his own son. So without any stable parental figure, Howie must navigate his own life virtually unsupervised. Howie and his friends begin skipping school and robbing houses. Together, he and his best friend Gary (Kay) break into a house belonging to an older man named Big John, a local man who is well respected in the community. When Big John points out Gary for the crime, Howie learns that his pal has been leading a secret, dangerous but also alluring double life. Subsequently, we also discover that Big John has secrets of his own.

    Paul Dano is the breakthrough of the year with such an emotional performance it almost brings me to tears. He is truly wonderful in this film and if it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have watched this. I noticed him in the recent [i]Little Miss Sunshine[/i] and thought that I'd check this out. It turned out to be a lot better than expected. Brian Cox is also brilliant in this film. It's a wonder how he hasn't received an Oscar nomination yet. He is one of the most underrated actors of the decade. He is brilliant in all of his minor roles, but here he really does shine. The one scene where he is sitting at the piano and singing that sad, sad song is very touching. The whole cast is impressive.

    Overall, this film might disturb you to some extent with its gay theme and very messed up characters, but when you get past all of that, this film really is touching and very, very good.

    I highly urge you to check out [i]L.I.E.[/i] if you have no problem with a gay theme. If you can handle [i]Brokeback Mountain[/i], then this will be like Sesame Street. This is one of the best films of 2001 and showcases some of the best performances, too. A great film.
  • January 15, 2007
    this is the most real portrayal of pedophilia I've ever seen in the movies --
  • October 27, 2009
    This film spoke to me. There was a time in my life when I felt like the Howie character. This film really means more to me than I could ever describe. The only flaw with the film, in my opinion, is the ending. The ending is absolutely terrible. Instead of characters talking and w...( read more)orking out their problems, there's murder instead. However, I've managed to get past the fact that the ending is shitty and still love the film enough to call it one of my favorites.
  • September 26, 2009
    This was impossible to find as a rental, so I ended up having to buy it from overseas! Glad I did, it was definitely worth a watch. I love this twisted teen crap. LOL.
  • September 18, 2009
    L.I.E, like Mysterious Skin, was an incredibly difficult movie to watch, but for very different reasons.

    L.I.E is the story of a young man who's left to be raised or rather neglected by his father following the death of his mother and finding a father like figure in the most ...( read more)unlikely of characters.

    Howie adrift in a turbulent sea of rejection and pain, looks to his peers for acceptance and soon finds it in a band of juvenile delinqiuents, who buglarize homes around their suburban neighborhood. One of those boys Howie is particarly drawn to is Gary, who he learns sells his body for profit to older men.

    Enter Big John. Big John is a pillar of the community, he is a well liked and well respected vietnam war vetern and a pedarest, the latter of course unknown to all those in the community, but a very well known fact among the young teenage boys who service Big John from time to time. Gary not only services Big John,but steals two guns from his residence with the help of Howie, whom Gary leaves behind forcing the resonsibility to make things right with Big John on his Howie's shoulders.

    At first Big John appears just as we expect him to, as a predator,he makes his intentions quite crystal clear. Howie however, rejects his advances. But as Big John comes to know Howie, we see something we don't expect and that is the hardest part of the film for me to be at peace with.

    L.I.E asked of it's audience a difficult task, it asked us to look past the eyes of a pedarest and into the soul of a man. It showed us that within the chest of a monster, exsisted the warmest of hearts and that conflict between feelings of complete disgust and actually liking the character Big John, made it difficult to watch, I contemplated switching it off, but then I thought, if a movie could cause such a stir and conflict with in me, it must be worth watching and really shouldn't a good movie do just that, shouldn't it stir strong feelings with in? Good or bad? Or both.

    Big John who started off as a predator turned into something else he had actual concern and fatherly protectiveness in reguards to Howie. Never once, although he had oppertunities, took advantage of Howie's vurnerbilities. Big John, actually care for him and what happened in his life. I'm sure this must have been just as confusing to him, as it was to us. This is someone who spent great bits of time, luring teenaged boys to his bed who felt no geunine affection for any of them, now feels something completely different.

    I wouldn't recommend this movie to just anyone. I had a hard time settling the conflict within myself because even though at times, I found him likeable, I still thought to myself...."but he's a pedophile!" I just have to realize this movie isn't asking you to love a pedarest or want you to be his friend, it's asking you to looking past the label because it is not the label that defines the person. Even in an ugly shell, a heart that's completely human beats.

    This movie should only be viewed by the most adventureous of movie affectionados
  • September 6, 2009
    This film was...hard to watch, but ultimately staifying, it held my attention rapt, with the great acting from young Paul Dano.

    Great really really uncomfortable subject they picked, dear, ephobophilia is seldom explored so explicitly in film....

    Paul Dano and Brian Cox are...( read more) excellent. it may be awkard hwoever it is pertinent and well made, beyond that, i recomend it.
  • August 12, 2009
    Brillant, brilliant, brilliant!!

    Brian Cox is phemonel!

Critic Reviews


September 28, 2001
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

A wonderfully acted film and a courageous one. full review

September 27, 2001
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A disturbing and provocative study of adolescence and isolation. full review

September 21, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Its director, Michael Cuesta, has the stubborn curiosity of an artist who won't settle for formulas but is intrigued by the secrets and mysteries of his characters. full review

August 31, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A powerful and provocative achievement. full review

April 16, 2001
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

At its best, L.I.E. ... offers a rich, dark, bitter slice of contemporary life. But the film's arty embellishments undermine its bleak vision, making it, in the end, a little too easy to take. full review

View more L.I.E. reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • WrellikW
    August 14, 2008
    I didn't care for some of the subject matter, but a good film is a good film and this was a good film! I picked it up by mistake and was pleasantly surprised after I watched it; I wish all mistakes could come out this good, lol.

    Take care all,
    William
    Zzzzzzoooommmmm!

    "It is easy to be brave, from a distance." -American Indian Proverb-
  • Emilyhaigh
    December 3, 2006
    this film is amazin!!! Billy kay is sooooo fit :) and paul :P
  • jrfoldes
    June 4, 2006
    An incredible and powerful film. This movie dealt with a controversial topic that few studios would dare touch or few theatres would dare show. Amazing performance by Brian Cox and the young cast.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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