LIES AND ILLUSIONS
US, 2009, 95 minutes, Colour.
Christian Slater, Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Ann Schultz, Christa Campbell, Robert Giardina, Al Madrigal, Lochlyn Munro.
Directed by Tibor Takacs.
Lies and Illusions has a reasonable premise, a thriller with twists. However, the writing and the plot development leave a lot to be desired and so the result is something that would go straight to DVD release.
It is a surprise to see actors like Christian Slater and Cuba Gooding Jr in this film. However, in the first decade of the 21st century Cuba Gooding seemed to be reduced to appearing in this kind of thriller.
Christian Slater does well as a self-help author whose fiancée is abducted. He is led into a mystery world where his fiancée was a thief, the reporter who befriends him is an FBI agent, and he is threatened by thugs (who don’t seem to have a great success in their shooting).
The film becomes more and more dramatic in terms of chases and confrontations, but, the conclusion is more than a touch ludicrous as the fiancée, back from the dead, steals back the diamonds she had originally stolen, parachutes out of the plane leaving Cuba Gooding to die in a crash. Otherwise, there is a happy ending.
1. The popularity of this kind of story? On paper? In the execution of the film?
2. The settings, north-west America, Seattle and Spokane? The colour photography of the city, heightened? The musical score?
3. The title, the reference to Sam and her real occupation? Nicole and her being an FBI agent? The illusions for Wes?
4. The introduction to Wes, his book, self-help, the book-signing, his agent and his push? The clients and the book-signing? His approach to Sam in the bar – and the revelation that they were engaged, their dance? Leaving, the assault, Wes bashed, Sam abducted, disappearing? The introduction to Isaac and his thugs? The issue of the diamonds?
5. Wes, backed up by Martin? Going to the lawyer, the information about the deposit boxes? Having to wait a year? The thugs and their breaking the finger of the lawyer?
6. A year later, writer’s block, Martin and his urging Wes to date? The signings, the encounter with Isaac, his getting the book with the ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ signature? Nicole, her offer for the interview, Wes and his going to her apartment, drinking? Audience suspicion of Nicole or not?
7. The thugs, the attack on Wes? Isaac and his confrontation, Wes throwing the coffee, running through the streets of the city? His being caught? Their taking Nicole? His going to the bank, the thug with him? Their taking the case?
8. Isaac, his diamond-smuggling business, well dressed, his thugs? Antagonism towards Alicia? The doll in the case? Continuing his pursuit of Wes?
9. The attacks in the hotel, the chases, the shooting? Nicole and her gun? The sudden appearance of Sam? Her leading Wes on, the shootings, under the bridge, with the coffee?
10. The truth about Sam, the thief, Isaac and his pursuit of her? The FBI agent after her? Wanting Isaac’s list of contacts?
11. The build-up to the final confrontation, the car chase and the shooting? Isaac and his getting the case of diamonds?
12. The plane, Alicia on the plane, the dead pilot, autopilot, taking the diamonds, shooting Isaac, the parachute? Her being reunited with Wes? Having given the list to Nicole?
13. The potential for this kind of film – but the very ordinary execution?
