THE GOOD LIE (Shawn Linden). 93 minutes. Opens Friday (May 10). For venues and times, see Movies. Rating: NN
This drama about teenager Cullen’s (Thomas Dekker) quest for his birth father, who raped his mother, has some admirable qualities.
Dekker’s excellent as the angry young man willing to take risks in the search for his prey, the dialogue between him and his pals is edgy and real, and writer/director Shawn Linden knows how to create tension.
But the story itself builds to a disappointing climax, and the narrative device of having the boys one-up each other with scary ghost stories, gorily dramatized, around the campfire before Cullen reveals all (basically nothing) fails.
The Good Lie isn’t one of those typically Canuck pics that has a superb cast and nothing else. But decent performances – Matt Craven as Cullen’s dad is also good – a great indie soundtrack and few scenes with crackling conversation can’t rescue a problematic screenplay.
Linden has talent. He just hasn’t yet put it all together.
