Generally entertaining thriller thanks to Mirren’s and McKellen’s performances, but left me thinking if this would have been better offered through the streaming platform. The Good Liar suits well for weekend chill viewing.
AS SPOILER-FREE AS I CAN:
Long-time con man and swindler Roy Courtnay (Ian McKellen) eyes his next victim: recently-widowed Betty McLeish (Hellen Mirren), who seems to have more than just a lifetime of bank savings. But Betty has a smart grandson, Stephen (Russel Tovey) who’s standing in Roy’s way. With his collaborator, fellow con man Vincent (Jim Carter,) Roy doubles down to win Betty’s favor (AKA money) before Betty finds out. Or maybe Betty already knows?
The premise is very interesting, and just the thought of Dame Hellen and Sir Ian in one movie gamely prowling at each other on whose character makes the wrong move can be quite exciting. And it was for a few moments in the film.
Betty meets Roy through an online portal and they meet for dinner soon after. There’s immediate chemistry between Mirren and McKellen, acting legends, but also between Betty and Roy. Edited to emphasize the double-crosser in Roy, scenes switch from moments with Betty to Roy’s other ongoing cons. There’s ample setup to show us the type of person Roy is, including a scene where Vincent speaks out the voice of reason (the “conscience”) which Roy coldly dismisses. We get the idea that Betty is in danger financially, or worse.
But half an hour in, one starts to wonder when Betty’s side of the story should kick in (naturally since it takes two to tango in this thriller, but also one is kept waiting for the Mirren acting moment.) Dumping most of Betty in the twisty third act – including a lengthy emotional backstory and all of its socio-political undertones that turn the genre around – could’ve come sooner than later, which also means all the prep before the dramatic surprise could have also used less time. The revelations are more “left of field” than “didn’t see that coming.”
Elegantly crafted by Condon’s team with expert subtleties from the acting legends Mirren and McKellen, The Good Liar is fair game for a lazy Saturday or Sunday – accompanied by wine and cheese rather than beer and popcorn.
Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-vaNbKSyjQ&feature=youtu.be
Directed by Bill Condon
Based on the novel by Nicholas Searle
#TheGoodLiar is rated R13. Trailer link and images from Warner Bros. Pictures
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