Hoax, The

Runtime: 116min 6secs
Tagline: Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Directed by: Lasse Hallström
Screenplay Adaptation by: William Wheeler

Plot Outline:
Based on the autobiograpical novel by Clifford Irving, it follows the process he went through in the early 1970's when he who wrote and sold a bogus biography of billionaire aviator Howard Hughes to a premiere publishing house McGraw-Hill.

Richard Gere plays Irving and Alfred Molina plays Richard Suskind, his best friend & accomplice in (almost) pulling off one of the great media hoaxes of the decade (though he probably would have exaggerated & said "the century").

Overall Impressions:
Well, I was full of amusement as the publishers in the film were being all hush about the book, giving it the codename 'Octavius', while it was being co-written by the guy who played Dr. Otto Octavius. You're probably thinking: Oh, how observant of me, well I know, I know, thanks.

Right, enough geek talk.

I must say, it's a very engaging film, looking back now, there isn't all that much I could say if you asked me to give you a scene by scene breakdown, but while watching you're engrossed with the ongoings. This film totally belongs to Richard Gere who becomes the part of not only Irving but also Howard Hughes to quite an extent. To write a biography about a person that you haven't met you would actually have to become them. I did enjoy watching the transition of the character as he became lost in the writing process.

Alfred Molina is totally natural in the part of his skint and innocent friend, but it felt a little like the actor deserved more scope, the character is rather small for an artiste of his stature. I should also give a special mention to their hair stylist and costumes, without which they just wouldn't have been in the 70's.

Possible moral of the story:
Well I'm going with the tagline here, if you're a writer, I totally get it, never let the truth get in the way of a good story. I'm down with that, good for you, but don't be so stupid as to tell your mistress, who too is supposed to be a secret. Actually get your damned priorities straight, which lie is more important to maintain? The one that makes you a good bit of money perhaps or the one that might end up giving you a baby you don't want?? (I am looking forward to seeing Knocked Up).

So yea, though it is a hell of an achievement getting on a Time Magazine's Cover (Cover of the 21st Feb 1972), it's not worth getting caught to achieve it. Though I don't think that was his intent anyway, so I'll let that one fly.

Not a cinema must, but an enjoyable caper that I would recommend you catch on your rentals.