DVD
REVIEW: THE HOAX
10/13/07
What happened to Clifford
Irving? In an effort to answer this question, director Lasse
Hallstrom has recreated one of the most talked about
scandals of the 1970's. Walking a fine line this courageous
director brings us one of his best works up to now, an
engaging and entertaining film about real life forgery,
emotional deception and political conspiracy.
Desperate for money and to be a famous writer Clifford
Irving (Richard Gere) informs the Manhattan publishing
corporations of McGraw-Hill that he is the exclusive memoir
writer for the isolated billionaire Howard Hughes. Money
making driven, this company jumps on the opportunity of
uncovering the secret behind this mysterious personality by
allowing Irving to write the book. In order to maintain his
lie, Irving begins to falsify legal documents, using
plagiarism and even getting his wife Edith Irving involved
for fraud. Little by little he orchestrates the story
delusional believing he is actually Hughes' messenger and
Soon begins to suspect of US government plot. The story
continues to weave in the most comical and interesting
manner making reference to the corporate world of the 1970's
and the events of the time.
This is a non hero that we learn to like due to the wit of
not only Hallstrom but also screen writer William Wheeler.
However, most of the comical lines are given to Alfred
Molina who should get a supporting role nomination in
his interpretation of Dick Susking, Irving's panicky and
honest researcher. Also, this movie wins in characterization
as Richard Gere portrays the cynical, unscrupulous,
delusional Irving who stops at nothing to get his way. Along
with him, it was nice to see Marcia Gay Harden like never
before as the blonde, cheated and utilized wife of Irving.
Overall the casting shines throughout and the plot fiction
and fact is absolutely a delight to watch.
VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) Enhance for 16x9 TVs
AUDIO:
Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround - English Spanish
Subtitles - English, Spanish,
French
BONUS FEATURES:
Stranger Than Fiction :
A short 9 minutes documentary about the film production. The
documentary covers the aspect for creating the story.
Includes comments from the cast, producers and director.
Deleted Scenes Contains
6 delete scenes with and option commentary by director
Hallstrom and writer Wheeler. It is worth watching (13:46)
"Business as Pleasure" Extended Scene This is
a key scene that needed more time (6:28)
Mike Wallace: "Reflections on a Con"
Mike Wallace on his encounters with Clifford during
the1970’s 60 Minutes interview in which he swore the book
was not a fake, and the follow-up interview done 27 years
later (4:29)
Feature Audio Commentary with Hallstrom
and Wheeler
Feature Audio Commentary with Leslie
Holleran and Joshua D. Maurer
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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Review
By Jen
jen@smartcine.com
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