Film: The Good Liar

GENRE: Drama, Mystery

RATING: R for some strong violence and language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 49 minutes

STARRING: Helen Mirren (The Queen, RED, Eye in the Sky, Hitchcock)

Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings, X-Men), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey)

DIRECTOR: Bill Condon (Gods & Monsters, Dreamgirls, Mr. Holmes)

WRITER: Jeffrey Hatcher (Casanova, The Duchess, Mr. Holmes)

PLOT: A conman sets his sights on a rich widow but not everything is as it seems.      

FULL DISCLOSURE: Like the actors, not the rotten tomatoes score.

STORY STUFF: I like a good con movie like Matchstick Men or Ocean’s Eleven; ones that take a certain glee in swindling money out of people using elaborate schemes. This film fell short of that. There are some good moments throughout but they didn’t allow the viewer to play along as much. There’s a whole backstory that we are not privy to until later so motives cannot be analyzed by the audience. It’s a shame.

ACTING STUFF: McKellen and Mirren are top notch. These are seasoned pros and it is entertaining to watch them work and play off each other. They have great chemistry. Also interesting to see Downton Abbey’s Carson in a less honorable role.

ARTISTIC STUFF: A few interesting shots and angles, but nothing really stood out for me. Some of the violence makes you look away though. It’s a little surprising that way.

VERDICT: Two and half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You like Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Knives Out