The Hoax

The Hoax ***

Directed by Lasse Hallström
Written by William Wheeler, based on the book by Clifford Irving

Starring:
Richard Gere as Clifford Irving
Alfred Molina as Dick Susskind
Hope Davis as Andrea Tate
Marcia Gay Harden as Edith Irving
Stanley Tucci as Shelton Fisher
Julie Delpy as Nina Van Pallandt
Eli Wallach as Noah Dietrich

115 Minutes(Rated R for Language).

*The MPAA does not note it in their rating, but the film also does include a moment of brief nudity.
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It's actually very strange. When I make the cast list above whenever I write a review, I often take the cast list from another website(coming soon.net) because it just saves the time of typing up who was in the movie myself. The way that the window was positioned had part of the review in the frame of my computer screen before I had the chance to copy the cast list, and I read the opening paragraph of the review on that site. The review on that site started by saying that movie hooks the viewer in from the very first few seconds with the intriguing musical score. That the music was by Carter Burwell, the composer for films like "Fargo," and that it all makes sense why the music would be intriguing. Now, the only reason I am going through the trouble of mentioning all of this is because that is pretty much how I wanted to start my review as well. When the logos for "The Hoax" started, a musical score that made my foot tap also started-one that made me want to surf around the Internet for that piece of music. It got me interested in what was about to happen, and yes, when Carter Burwell's name came up on the opening credits, I made an audible "yes" sound, because I had heard his work in "Fargo," "Adaptation," and "Fur" just to name a few, and his music always had me satisfied. This entire paragraph must highlight that I wasn't the only one impressed by the musical choices in the first few minutes of the movie, and that Carter Burwell is indeed a rare talent.

"The Hoax" was actually pulled from last years Oscar batch for reasons unknown to me, but it certainly would have given Richard Gere attention. Gere plays Clifford Irving, a down on his luck writer whose affairs in the past had almost put an end to his marriage to Edith. But he is convinced that that affair is done, and he refuses to destroy what he just rebuilt with his wife. Irving has just failed to get his book published and this has resulted in an almost foreclosure on his house. That is until he comes up with an idea, and lies to his agent that he is working on the most important book of the century-the authorized autobiography of Howard Hughes, the billionaire, film maker, aviator that was drilled into America's mind because of Scorsese. With his friend, children's book author and researcher Dick Susskind, Clifford begins to fabricate that he is in close contact with Mr. Hughes. He copies his handwriting, his voice and speech patterns, and most of all tries to make sure that the real Hughes does not get involved and destroy his plan.

It was interesting to see how this story was handled. This was not just a "look how stupid everyone is for believing Clifford Irving" story. Director Lasse Hallström gets into the political aspects of America at the time, and manages to show that not everything was happy go lucky. It was almost like a gift for people to be able to finally get some answers to Howard Hughes, which is probably why they embraced Clifford so much and did not really second guess him. At least not the masses, there were some people who were a little apprehensive. "The Hoax" is not just a story about a hoax, but a story about a man and the hoax's that he pulls-not just the ones about Hughes, but also the ones that he does through his marriage. This is a story about a man who lies, not just to publishers but to his wife. At one point, Irving ends up sleeping with the woman that caused problems in his marriage the first time, and when he has to lie to his wife about it he does it through the same techniques that he does whenever he lies to the publishers-taking things that actually happened in unrelated events and making them usable in these. It was at this point where I realized that Irving is constantly pulling hoax's, some on a more personal level than others. "The Hoax" also a buddy comedy, at least to a certain extent, and this is through the relationship between Clifford Irving and Dick Susskind. The two of them are sometimes vast opposites, and it is this relationship that is often at the core of the film, and also the one that provides a little comic relief.

There are some parts of 'The Hoax" that do lag, but it is extremely enjoyable and very well acted. Richard Gere gives one of the best performances of his career, and is always very animated and involved in the scam. He makes it possible to like this man that is somewhat awful. The kind of man who lies, and even pays a hooker to sleep with his married friend. Molina is fine too as the right hand man, but it is Gere who constantly shines. Gere gets more and more fascinating, especially towards the end when he becomes paranoid and constantly afraid, just like Howard Hughes did. It is not outright stated, but those that know enough about Hughes will be able to see parallels between his life and the life of Irving towards the end of the film. I suppose the only real crime with "The Hoax" being pulled from Oscar season is Richard Gere not being on the list of Best Actors, because this is his movie, true and true. This is one of those films that you could be grateful about it being moved, because it a time where films are lackluster and only above mediocre, you get the rare on that is able to shine through. This is a very enjoyable piece of work.