L.I.E. (2001)

A Taboo Transposed

This film tackles a subject seldom seen on the big screen, and it pulls it off with class. Brian Cox boldly takes on the role of Big John Harrigan, a retired Marine and Vietnam vet, who just happens to have a love for teenage boys. Before seeing this movie I expected the character of Big John to be nothing less than a monster. I was pleasantly surprised. Big John shows us just how human a monster can be. After hunting down unlikely thief Howie Blitzer to the tune of "The Hurdy Gurdy Man," Big John takes the needy and curious teen under his wing. The unusual duo stumble through an awkward relationship providing each other with friendship, a muse, and emotional support. Never crude or blatant for the sake of being shocking, L.I.E. creates a plausible story that doesn't need to rely on graphic material to get its point across. Beautifully scripted, Big John is more than convincing as a retired Marine, a caring father figure, and a human "monster," who just happens to have a love for teenage boys.
November 16, 2008

an exceptional movie with characters who defy clear cut labels--this film is art

L.I.E. is the coming of age story of young Howie Blitzer--although not necessarily in the usual ways. Howie (Paul Dano) is a 16 year old troubled kid who is mourning the relatively recent death of his mother in a car accident on the L. I. E. (Long Island Expressway), which is nearby the Blitzer home by coincidence. Howie sometimes views life through the L. I. E. as he contemplates how some people travel east on the highway, some people travel west while some roads "lead straight to hell."

Howie mourns his mother; but that's far from the end of his worries. He hangs around with other teenagers who find it thrilling to break into houses and steal things. They don't need the things they steal because they themselves come from wealthy families; but the thrill of it all is like a drug for them. Moreover, Howie's father (Bruce Altman) may live in the same house with his son but they are essentially estranged--they communicate poorly at best and the father is all but completely consumed by serious troubles at work and his girlfriend with whom he spends practically every minute.

Howie sees a possible way out of his pain when he tinkers with the idea of traveling with one of his buddies so they can start a new life; and there are some latent (or not so latent) romantic feelings between the two young men. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned--and pretty soon Howie is left by his father, his buddy who leaves without him and his other buddies conveniently disappear. It is only then that Howie explores a relationship with a much older man named Big John (Brian Cox). Big John has his eyes on Howie and this could definitely complicate things; it seems that Big John wants something back that Howie and his friends stole when they broke into Big John's home one night.

How will Howie find his way to come of age with all this madness around him? He's on his own without much help. Will he ever reconcile with his father? Will he develop a romantic relationship with Big John even though Howie is underage? What if his buddies want to be there for him again? No answers here--watch the movie to find out!

The plot moves along at a good, steady pace without being too fast or too slow; and the acting is truly convincing. When people comment that Michael Cuesta has made an extraordinary motion picture, they are correct. The characters are developed in just the right way and you won't forget this film anytime soon. The subject matter of a grown man having his eyes at young boys is masterfully handled with so much finesse that you actually see several good, redeeming qualities about Big John. This film is art.

The DVD doesn't have too many extras but there are commentaries by Michael Cuesta and Brian Cox. There are three or four brief deleted scenes. However, the film is so good I don't think you'll mind the relative paucity of extras.

Overall, L.I.E. easily succeeds at giving us a striking, memorable portrait of a young man's coming of age. This film is not for family entertainment but it's hardly something for the trashcan. I highly recommend it.
October 25, 2008

L.I.E Sexual Awareness

This movie awarenessabout how fragile young teenagers are been seduced by anyone who give them some atention. It"s a hard message for absent parents that just provide material things and forgot that their kids are very sensitive and need more than anything care and love to not go true dark ways. September 3, 2008

A Rorschach Test In Morality

I actually found this in the local public library and seeing that it was new (at the time) I took it home with some other new movies. This is without question one of the worst movies ever made. If you're a pedophile looking for a movie that presents you as normal, you'll like it. If you're turned on by child abuse, you'll probably like it. If you're into watching little boys masturbate, you'll probably like it. If you're anyone else you'll be sickened. As for those people on here who think this is so great, I truly worry about any children they might get their hands on. August 27, 2008

This movie changed my life.

There are so little movies that live up to that name which means to move you into a different stage of thought. With this movie, it connected with my soul, moved me and made me want to live a better life. I'm not gay and I'm not a pedophile (two main aspects of the movie) but if you look through what is on the surface, this movie is about a struggle of a lackluster parent figure, changing between people, who your real friends are, and also toys with the question: Is being gay a choice or something we just gain through experience. Paul Dano is one of my favorite actors from this movie where he was just a kid. Last night, he was at the Academy Awards. It's safe to say I'm not the only one moved by this movie, watch it. February 25, 2008

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