User reviews

"The Good Liar" from 2019 stars Helen Mirren and Ian McKellan. Stop right there. You really can't go wrong with these two. The film also stars Russell Tovey, Jim Carter, and John Lewis Jones.

The story is derivative: a con man (McKellan) romances his mark (Mirren) in the hopes of getting her money, despite interference from her suspicious grandson (Tovey).

There are two twists, one expected, and one unexpected. I like this kind of film, so I'm not going to go into what's believable and what isn't. The performances sold me, and I found the movie very entertaining. Having seen a lot of "out there" Spanish mysteries and suspense films, this one was mild in comparison in terms of a realistic plot.

Not the most exciting film I've ever seen, but certainly a good one.

'The Good Liar (2019)' is, in essence, nonsense, comprised of twists either far too obvious or completely out of the blue. Even though its marketing all but spoils its most major revelation, the flick still plays as a relatively unassuming drama until a final exposition dump aims to re-contextualise its plot, turning the affair into a pseudo thriller. Perhaps this is an effort to provoke a second viewing, but the movie doesn't have an ounce of ambiguity or, indeed, foreshadowing. It makes for a completely blindsiding ending that has little to no consequence because it feels so utterly disconnected from everything we've seen prior. The protagonist is suddenly transformed into something they never were before and we're just expected to accept it, to change allegiances at the last minute. This is a big ask and it makes for an unsatisfying end. Conceptually, it's fine, it's just that its execution doesn't capitalise on its potential. The picture isn't bad, though. It's forgettable and retroactively strained but it's engaging enough. The two leads are as good as you'd expect, playing ever-so-slightly against type and feeling comfortable while doing so. The actual writing is decent, if a little cheesy, and the direction is competent. There are a couple of OAP scuffles that work surprisingly well, too. Generally, it's relatively enjoyable throughout, despite some eye-rolling moments. It does feel a bit 'BBC 2' but it's not a bad effort, even though it's already fading from my memory. 6/10

It's not an overly bad film by any sense of the word, I actually enjoyed it a fair bit hence the 7 but I will echo that it was a fairly predictable job but the outstanding cast definitely carried it, I'd recommend it if your on the unlimited cinema deal or when it arrives to one of the multiple streaming services, good twist at the end

Moved along nicely with an exceptional cast despite the main twist being predictable from the outset before going to far fetched to counter its main predictability to end. Overall still enjoyed it thanks to the fantastic cast but the writing could have been a lot better.

Ian McKellen is a a con man. He's got an updated version of the Spanish Prisoner that convinces the mark to send hundreds of thousand of pounds into the pockets of his crew and him, and he has a profitable sideline in mildly scatterbrained but cash-rich old ladies, whom he romances and then shows a route to major profits.... for McKellen, that is. Mild-mannered widow Helen Mirren has come right into his sights, and despite Russell Tovey as her overprotective grandson, McKellen sees enough money to pay for a lavish retirement.

I spotted largely where this was going early on -- I have a fondness for good movies about confidence tricksters -- and I expect anyone who knows the conman trope in movies to catch on pretty early. Nonetheless, it's always fun for me to watch two professionals do their work, whether they're gardeners pruning the bushes properly or two skilled and charismatic actors performing in roles written for them; this is McKellen's fourth movie with director Bill Condon, and the second time Jeffrey Hatcher has written the screenplay for the actor/director combination; and who does not wish to write for Miss Mirren? So I had a very good time, and I expect most people will.

Plus it's a very good poster.

My biggest beef with this movie is that the timeline doesn't work. The main characters are too young for the events that happen in the flashbacks. Some good acting by the lead guy but I didn't like the violent scenes, too graphic for a what could have been a fairly light-hearted thriller. However kept me interested except at the very end which was dragged out about 10 minutes too long.

My Review : The Good Liar my rating 8.5

No Spoilers as usual from me except to say the trailers of The Good Liar give us only an inkling into the complex maze the plot reveals and that it's a master class in great acting from Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Helen Mirren.

I think it's the finest performance from Ian McKellen since his Oscar nominated role in Gods and Monsters in 1999 and I'm not surprised that Bill Condon the director of this film also directed Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters.

In The Good Liar Ian McKellen is cast as Roy Courtnay who meets Helen Mirren cast as Betty McLeish on a mature age dating site it soon becomes apparently clear that Roy's motives are not honourable in any way shape or form it takes us a lot longer to reveal Betty's true motive. In the meantime we meet Betty's hunky handsome protective Grandson Stephen perfectly played by Russell Tovey who seeks out to find out all he can about his Grandmother's new border and boyfriend.

Jim Carter who plays Mr Carson in Downton Abbey is very impressive in the very different role of Vincent the best friend of Roy Courtney and "business associate " it's a great ensemble cast and this film has some great plot twisters and surprises that at times may seem a little improbable but that didn't bother me a bit.

It's the performances of McKellen and Mirren that are sublime, subtle and mesmerising the range of these two actors is astonishing when you think back to characters like Helen Mirren in The Queen or Catherine the Great and Maria Altman in Woman in Gold then Ian McKellen as Gandalf or James Whale in Gods and Monsters and King Lear to see them together in a film for the first time ,they have appeared on stage together in 2001 in Dance of Death on Broadway.

I must mention the great score by Carter Burwell it's perfect and gives great atmosphere to the emotional and suspenseful plot I really like his scores and this is up with his previous film scores for Carol, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing ,Missouri and In Bruges.

I really enjoyed The Good Liar go see it and don't let anyone tell you the outcome of this complex story.

I just got out of The Good Liar

Both my eldest and myself enjoyed it considerably. You think you know where it's going (as the trailer shows a lot) but then it takes a detour. I love Helen Mirren and Sir Ian McClellan, I will always give anything they are in a chance and they are both superb here.

There is some brief nudity and bit of swearing, but I was surprised to see the C word used quite a few times, I'm not sure how that will go down with some audiences.

All in all, a good movie, that does not play out as you expect it to.

There were a few reasons for wanting to see 'The Good Liar' in the first place. The premise sounded fascinating and the sort that is right up my street. Of all the stories of the films released a couple of weeks ago, that for 'The Good Liar' was the one that intrigued me most. Have liked some of Bill Condon's other work, especially 'Gods and Monsters' and 'Kinsey'. Am someone who loves Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren (especially McKellen), two of Britain's national treasures, in intriguing roles for them.

Seeing it with my mother, who also likes very much this type of film, a big part of me really enjoyed 'The Good Liar' and found more good things than not so good things. The performances of the two leads being the strongest asset. Did think that with a better final act in particular, where it does fall apart somewhat, it could have been a better film than it turned out to be though. It actually should have been a better film than it turned out.

As said, there are things done well. McKellen and Mirren are both great here, they have both given better performances sure but they have challenging and quite different material for them and they both overcome the hurdles with aplomb and with nuance (even in parts that aren't as dialogue-heavy), charm and intensity. McKellen's material is more difficult, as it is a departure role for him and it must have been hard trying to make a character where one can see what Betty sees in him when it is obvious early on that he is not one to trust. The two sparkle together and looks as though they're worked with each other for years, one thinks from the beginning that it would be a typical romantic comedy but it turns out to be much more than that. The acting throughout from all is very good, Russell Tovey particularly good.

Other strengths are the photography, whether in the slickly and beautifully filmed present day scenes or the darker and grittier hue of the 1940s scenes, nice varied use of locations (the period detail in the flashbacks showing that a lot of homework was done recreating the period) and Carter Burwell's brooding score. The script on the most part very much intrigues and is darkly funny when needed and charming when needed. The story entertains and compels enough, especially in the scenes detailing what Roy is really up to. The writers clearly had a lot of fun with Roy and it is evident on screen and Betty is a sensitive contrast.

For all those good things however, there are debits. The darker tone of the second half is too much of a juxtaposition that it becomes feeling too much like a different film. Still attention grabbing sure but a bit jarring. 'The Good Liar' has two big plot twists. The first one coming off quite a lot better, it was more predictable as there is a lot of foreshadowing and suspicion before the scene happens, but the scene was still quite suspenseful in particularly the build up.

Where the film is particularly let down is with two things. The train station scene requires some serious suspension of disbelief and happens too much by chance, what should have been quite a tense scene and it began like that ends in a truly absurd way with too much sheer luck when this close to being caught. The final twenty five minutes or so, with the second plot twist, is more surprising but it is introduced too suddenly and the whole ending was just far too melodramatic in an again too juxtaposed way and quite silly.

In conclusion, liked it on the most part but expected more considering how good the premise was. It could have been potentially very good if the final act was significantly less flawed. 6.5-7/10

Actors have to work with the material they're given once they sign on. This was one move where they should have passed on save the money they were paid. It was quite predictable in many ways and the flashback story went off the rails where the movie would have been far better if they didn't spend so much time on it. Quite disappointing overall!

I enjoyed this for about two thirds of the way through, then it just became too far fetched to be believable so was disappointing.

I had high hopes despite the tepid reviews. Serious plot holes hurt this otherwise enjoyable pairing of great artists.

Based on the rating, I thought this movie was going to be boring, but on the contrary this was an entertaining thriller even though it was kinda predictable and didn't bring anything new to the table. Overall, if you are looking for a light handed movie with a good twist and pleasing performances you would enjoy it for sure.

Slow paced in delivery, but very well put together and keeps your interest to the end thanks to the great acting from the cast. The plot is predictable, but does take a few unexpected turns and a very unexpected dark turn towards the end, although the ending is pretty much as you would expect.

I do not want to spoil the movie. It builds up nicely, however, when the entire truth is revealed, it was overdramatized and in some parts, a bit ridiculous.

The acting was superb and flawless. The entire cast held my respect, but again, I would have liked to see a more thoughtful ending and not drawn out with unnecessary violence.

Joyce.

If you like your thrillers with all the usual ingredients that keep you guessing this is the one for you

Great acting , great plot , brilliant script , twists , keeps you guessing , hustle , hustled and hustler , dirty rotten scoundrel , great location and drone shots and recreation of war torn and post war Europe

A film that keeps your interest right through to the end

No spoilers here as always

Pad.a 8/10.

Once every year or so a movie comes along with no hype and slips under the radar despite being a gem. This is one. The powerhouse duo excellent as can be predicted of Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren carry the movie. An older cast can often be left to carry cosy Sunday teatime type movies but this isn't one. Has very light moments at times but don't let that fool you. This is a proper thriller. To answer the question in my caption??? I'm not lying. Highly recommended

That's what this is about right? A documentary about ... no of course not. Actually it is quite easy to tell what this is and where it is going. Now I may have seen too many movies or not, but I reckon many can see the twists coming. Which speaks for the movie but also a bit against it, if you like suspense.

The actors are not to fault at all, they are top notch and do their thing. While you should be able to tell where this is going, the movie has still quite the interesting story. A bit more suspense would have gone a long way ... but since that is not the case, make the best of it and enjoy what is there (which is still a lot)