L.I.E.   (Uncut)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B-     Extras: B+     Film: B

 

 

Out of all the pressures in the world one of the strongest is peer pressure.  In L.I.E. (2001), we meet 15-year-old Howie, who is a troubled kid dealing with the death of his mother and his corrupt father.  Everything that Howie knows seems to be a lie, so he naturally clings to his friends, which end up getting him into trouble, such as robbing houses.  One house in particular belongs to Big John (Brian Cox) and the boys Howie and Gary rob antique guns from his house.  Big John hunts the boys down in order to find his guns, but also to redeem the two boys.

 

If this were just an average film or a Hollywood-based film, the direction would go towards a Man Without A Face (1993) route in which the boy would learn from the older man about the right and wrongs of life.  Not the case here as L.I.E. crosses the boundaries of controversy.  Big John happens to favor boys and perversion and although he is more of a father figure than Howie’s real dad, there are certain lines that should not be crossed.  In the end both Big John and Howie learn more about them and the lies that they belong to. 

 

There are certainly many strong points to this film including the excellent direction by Michael Cuesta.  This is Cuesta’s first film and has since directed an episode of HBO’s Six Feet Under.  The bold and daring role of Big John is played with perfect execution by Brian Cox, who always ends up in good supporting roles, but never gets near the attention that he deserves.  His credibility as an actor makes this film all the stronger though. 

 

New Yorker Video has brought L.I.E. to DVD in a very admirable edition containing a fair amount of supplements making this edition all the more desirable.  The 1.78 X 1 image looks fairly good with only some noticeable problems in the detail area.  Colors are ok even with the depth issues that are abundant.  The 2.0 Stereo tracks are fuller than expected.  There are two audio commentaries for this film as well, one with director Michael Cuesta, and the other with Brian Cox.  These are a definite plus since there are very few films like this that offer much insight by a director or an actor let along both!  A few deleted scenes are included as well, but with the pacing of the film these scenes were never crucial and the decision to cut them was smart. 

 

The only other supplement in a theatrical trailer, which displays the film in a 1.66 X 1 configuration.  Detail is not as good in the trailer, but colors look a bit more coherent and add more depth that give a more film-like quality.  This DVD issue is considered the NC-17 rated version, which adds more time to a sex scene early on in the film.  There are so many positive components going for this film that its hard to resist.  Since New Yorker has done such a good job with the DVD, at least in the extras category, a broader audience should be exposed to one of the better films from 2001.

 

 

-   Nate Goss