AMANDA WILSON, Pulse Movie Reviewer | Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2007 12:00 am
Based on impressive true events in the 1970s, "The Hoax" is a fast-paced caper filled with talented actors, engaging intrigue and witty dialogue. Director Lasse Hallstrom mixes truth and fiction to create a multi-layered film that is highly entertaining from start to finish.
Author Clifford Irving (Richard Gere) is on the verge of success until his fickle publisher drops his forthcoming novel. Devastated and outraged, Irving rashly retorts that he is working on "the most important book of the 20th century." Desperate for fame and financial success, he claims to be writing an authorized biography of the infamous and reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Irving even produces handwritten (forged) letters from Hughes detailing their agreement. Convinced and impressed, the publishing firm pays Irving an advance of $100,000 and writes Hughes a check for $400,000.
Irving promptly enlists the assistance of his wife Edith (Marcia Gay Harden), and fellow author and friend Dick Suskind (Alfred Molina) as accomplices in his elaborate scheme. They bank on the assumption that Hughes is too reclusive to publicly speak out against their bogus biography. Edith poses as Helga R. Hughes and opens a Swiss Bank account to cash Hughes' check, while Suskind illicitly gathers primary source material about Hughes. Irving spends much of his time creatively evading the suspicion of his publisher and channeling the mindset of Hughes as he pens the false pages.
The ever-mounting danger and duplicity of the situation proves to be too stressful for the trio. One at a time, they break down in a fascinatingly individualized and intimate manner. Irving notably remains convinced that wealth and fame "make the man," even as this obsession destroys him. When and how their lies and the law will catch up with them forms the basis of the rest of the film.
The fantastic plot aside, Gere's nuanced performance makes this movie a captivating gem. As Irving transforms over the course of the film, Gere deftly appears bruised, brazen and unbalanced. His eerie portrayal of Irving as he becomes obsessed with Hughes and consumed by the hoax is a crowning achievement. Molina's and Harden's strong contributions further enhance the film's quality and likeability.
A host of other positive touches also grace the film. Unobtrusively scattered throughout are a variety of clips from the 1970s as well as actual footage of Howard Hughes. These images add a noticeable depth and authenticity to the story. In addition, the feel-good soundtrack includes lively classics by Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Rolling Stones. Finally and perhaps most importantly, the script is clever and clean-cut.
Well-written, well-acted, and well-arranged, "The Hoax" is a solidly entertaining combination of humor and drama. Director Hallstrom artistically coats the fictional and nonfictional elements of the actual events with a Hollywood gloss of editing and embellishment. The end result is a charming, original film worth seeing.
{M3review
'The Hoax'
{M3Starring: Richard Gere, Marcia Gay Harden, Alfred Molina
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Run time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Rated: R for language
Now playing at: Crossroads 12 (ends tonight)
**** (out of *****)