User reviews

"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.

I give it a 7 1/2. You might not recognize the lead actor's name "Michael Shannon" but you will recognize him in the movie. He did a marvelous job in a complex role. Just the right amounts of understatement, humor, and insight in his role. His acting made you feel for his situation and made you want him to succeed.

Kate Hudson did a very good job in her role. She was believable, funny, and showed she could act, not just play Kate Hudson.

All of the other actors were excellent in their supporting roles.

The girl who plays the hotel clerk hit it out of the park with her understated performance. Only on screen for a couple of scenes but you can recognize her from every hotel you've stayed at.

The story line is funny, the directing is good, and the movie has good pace. You never look at the clock and wonder how much longer is the movie.

I don't get the low reviews because it is well acted, funny, and very entertaining.

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.

This film isn't going to change the world but I liked it. It's probably a 6 but I gave it 7, because I liked it.

The actors do a good job & it's Proficiently written. Basically it's a bit of easy viewing fun.

The lead actor and actress are excellent in the role and it's just a nice little tale.

There's not much more to say & I'm basically trying to get the characters up needed to submit this revie.

Look! It's a good rainy Sunday afternoon/ Sunday evening watch. It's not going to change the world nor do you want it to. So sit back, relax and and watch.

Kate Hudson is still as beautiful as ever. Killer.

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.

Just because a movie is filled with a lot of nonsense that does not make it a comedy, it does not make it funny and it certainly does not make it a good movie.

The storyline and the actors in this movie are what captured my attention. I thought it would be a great movie. However, it was not. There were too many disconnects between characters and the also the storyline. It was all over the place and hard to follow the reasoning behind why certain things happened. The absolute worse character was the one played by Michael Shannon. His character popped in and out of what seemed to be reality constantly.

Bad movie, very disappointed. Love the actors but not the movie.

It's so sad to see these 2 ONCE great actors star in such a mediocre TV movie. Well, officially it aint a TV movie, but quality wise, IT IS.

The bad: I really value Michael Shannon as an actor. It's NOT his fault that this movie flopped. This brilliant actor has starred in several terrific movies at the very start of his carreer, but somehow he ended up in this below average formulaic picture, which was badly written, badly directed and badly produced.

More bad: this movie is PC. Yes, my condolences. PC? Yes, this movie is Politically Correct. It has got specific themes and values that represent Politically Correct Thinking. And PC themed movies are incredibly predictable and therefore bland and boring. And so it goes....

To be avoided...

I would have rate this at least 7 stars but towards tgee end of the movie, i was so disappointed. Misleads you to believe that this is a wholesome, no foul language etc movie, but somehow they insert in there a very disrespectful language offensive to millions of believers. Hollywood does not realize that people of all faith, particularly Christians, notice this, and they would stop stop watching, as I did. They whoever they are will fail at their attempt to make people say this offensive words. Only American/hollywood movies I notice disrespect Jesus name, while other foreign shows I have not seen one who did this. I would stick to watching foreign films then. Hollywood's loss.

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.

What the heck??

This movie was a total waste of time. Decent actors trying to make a horrible story line better - terrible movie. I started watching, at 30 minutes in, I kept hoping it was going to get better - it did not.

It was almost as if I was watching a Woody Allen movie (I'm not a fan) without Diane Keaton. Weird, odd, strange - was there a story? Unable to grasp the characters charisma or chemistry was nonexistent. The flow from one scene to the next was very choppy. A great cast of notables, hoping they make better decisions when selecting scripts.

I have great respect for all involved, however, this flick missed the mark.

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.

Kate Hudson is a decent enough performer and can make slightly weak material work.

She isn't however a miracle worker. This film asks her to be one.

This isn't great. People have been kind on this site and said that it's a good rainy Sunday afternoon watch, but is that really good enough?

Hudson goes through the motions, it feels like everyone does here. Perhaps they all felt the same thing - that they were pushing a so-so project up a hill.

So yes, sorry to say that 'fine' is the overwhelming feeling I have about this film. It could be worse, it could be a darn sight better than it actually is.

I learned a long time ago to avoid any movie or book that has anything to do with academia. It seems like just about every college professor on the planet feels the need to write about their workplace experiences. And ten times out of ten, they make for a total snooze fest. They all try to be oh so clever, and they always fall short. I should have listened to my own advice and skipped this tired dog of a movie. What's really strange is that Michael Shannon starred in it. Did he need the money or something? He's one of the most underrated actors on the scene, yet here, his performance was totally flat. It seemed like he had no interest whatsoever in being in the movie.

And what terrible writing as well. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. But it never did. I couldn't wait for the movie to end so I could get on with my life. Please don't make the same mistake I did. Skip this one!

MovieJunkieMark.

A Little White Lie had the potential to be a sharp and witty satire, but instead, it falls flat with a dull execution and a lack of real humor. The premise is interesting, but the story drags, and the screenplay fails to make the most of its concept. The film lacks energy, and by the end, it feels like a missed opportunity.

The one saving grace is Kate Hudson. She is a great and talented actress who deserves much better than this material. Even with a weak script, she still manages to bring charm and charisma to her role. She is super pretty and lights up the screen, but unfortunately, even her presence isn't enough to save the movie.

A Little White Lie might be the worst marketed movie and yet the best ratings sleeper since My Cousin Vinnie. IMBD currently has a score of 5.9 Why? The trailer and promotional materials list it as a zany romantic comedy. Director Michael Maren didn't make that movie; rather he turned Chris Belden's hilarious book Shriver - a campy case of mistaken identity and turned it into a brilliant portrayal of imposter syndrome and writers block. The production values are more in keeping with a low budget comedy - such as Caddyshack or Dodgeball - and the cast including Kate Hudson and Don Johnson (and their scripts) would be perfectly appropriate for a rom com. The giveaway is the sublime Michael Shannon. He was the top choice by Maren after the untimely death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's his movie. Conjuring an exquisite metamorphosis worthy of Kafka. From a janitor who doesn't read to a a suspect invitee at a literary conference to perhaps the real McCoy? Shriver published Goat Time - a singularity of brilliance a la JD. Salinger. 15 years later, he isn't sure about anything. Could he have possibly written it? Is he actually a writer? Yet the festival draws him out of his cocoon. Whether he is the real Shriver or not - I leave to you to find out. Watch this movie. But temper the obvious expectation for a light comedy. It may be the next Being There. And an aside - the marketing team has some serious explaining to do!

I wish Hollywood would stop saying stupid is funny it's not. Foul language has become common place but even this story line could've been funny but not the way it played out. My God Does anyone actually know what funny is anymore? I'd rather watch The Fall Guy over again every dvd I own the one that actually are funny illy Crystal Hitch. IQ, Wedding Planner, Wedding Date My Best Friends Wedding They've no clue what funny actually is anymore The Proposal, 2 weeks Notice, IQ now that's a funny movie Stupid isn't funny Connie & Carla is funny We've not seen a movie that's billed as being funny in a long time My Spy The Pacifier yes enjoyable nothing laugh out loud funny but wouldn't it be nice to get that back?

I never knew what the casting people mean with chemistry between the lead roles. This movie tells me all about it. It was awful. The movie was boring but for the sake of chemistry, i would have watched it. Started watching, played with my phone for a while. It was that boring. Then couldn't continue. I hate seeing a boring unfinished movie in the continue watch list in netflix. Scrolled the movie to the end, clicked on dislike and was very frustrated for the time I wasted on that time. I also wanted to come here and write this as well. Another waste of time. And they require a long text to be able to post my review.

I've never even heard of Kate Linder, not until this 'White Lies' thing, anyway.

I was absolutely convinced (and I'm still not entirely sure that it's not ..!) in reality a really really really old and badly face-lifted Joan Collins. Having seen Joan recently, I would say that that is, unfortunately, an entirely accurate description of Ms Collins.. who should totally and definitely remain out of the limelight and away from ANY cameras for the rest of her life, if she wishes to be remembered as she really was), who in spite of being one of my favorite actresses of all time (having starred in probably THE most quintessential Star Trek episode of all time at the peak of her beauty -long predating Dynasty, and totally showcasing her skills as an actress, which are not insignificant...

Why should a handyman with the same last name as a reclusive author accept an invitation to speak at an obscure writing conference?

The recluse wrote a worldwide hit, the quintessential coming-of-age novel, then disappeared. The handyman isn't a writer...or is he?

A fascinating and intriguing plot with stellar acting, especially by the primary protagonist Michael Shannon. He is ably assisted by Kate Hudson, the professor who finds the author, and Don Johnson, her ex-husband who turns out to be the savior of the situation.

The ending is Shakespearean and quite unguessable. No idea why this hasn't been a huge .

Had never heard of this film, but my husband and I decided to watch it the other day, and we were both completely blown away! What a very, very good film. We were expecting just a light rom-com, but this was so much deeper than that. Lots of rom-com qualities to it, but at the same time - a sublime and fascinating drama. As the storyline progresses, and you begin to understand Michael Shannon's character a bit more, it becomes evident what a remarkable job he has done in portraying the reclusive "Shriver." We have watched a lot of movies over the past couple of years, and this may be the BEST of all of them!

A very inspiring, and lovingly made, testament to humanity and the literary alter at which we are able to embrace our being in all of the faults that make up our perfection as a species. Based on Chris Belden's novel "Shriver", writer-directer Michael Maren, and the entire cast and production staff through their hard work, have brought a bountiful feast of food for the soul to the motion picture screen (be it a cinema screen or on a laptop). If you love how words can be turned into music, or even if there is not enough time in the day to read much, the characters in this film and their predicaments certainly resonate with all of us. My hat is off as I bow to this troupe of filmmakers to offer my gratitude. Thank you. And as a final note to my long lost friend Lynn, who has spent her entire life avoiding putting her words on paper, it is never too late to put ink to quill. Catharsis for writer and reader awaits. ***NOTE*** I did not mention the amazing actors by name in this picture because every one of them in all of their roles empowered this picture with their truly heartfelt and well tuned performances, no matter if they worked for just one day or the entire run of the project. In short, the actors are great across the board, one and all bringing life to this work of love.

The film is a witty and clever satire of the literary world, poking fun at its pretensions, rivalries, and scandals. The film also explores themes such as identity, fame, love, and truth. The film benefits from its talented cast, especially Shannon who plays Leo with charm and humor. He makes us root for him even when he is clearly deceiving everyone around him. Hudson is also delightful as Simone, who balances her professional duties with her personal feelings for Leo.

A Little White Lie is a fun and entertaining film that will make you laugh out loud at its absurd situations and hilarious dialogues. It is a film that will appeal to fans of comedy and literature alike.