Where the Truth Lies

Name: Where the Truth Lies
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Released: October 14, 2005
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 47
Cast: Alison Lohman, Colin Firth, Kevin Bacon

2005

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Ratings

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Where The Truth Lies

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Movie Details & Credits

THINKFilm | Release Date: October 14, 2005 | Open

Starring: Alison Lohman, Colin Firth, Kevin Bacon

Summary: A provocative film about interconnected lives that are shattered by ill-fated acts of deception and ambition. Shifting effortlessly between mob-run clubs of the mid-50's and glamorous Hollywood Hills mansions of 1972, the film explores the dark, beguiling, and inevitably destructive side of fame and fortune. The result is a tense andA provocative film about interconnected lives that are shattered by ill-fated acts of deception and ambition. Shifting effortlessly between mob-run clubs of the mid-50's and glamorous Hollywood Hills mansions of 1972, the film explores the dark, beguiling, and inevitably destructive side of fame and fortune. The result is a tense and atmospheric mystery that uses cinematic sleight-of-hand to challenge any preconceptions about "truth." (Serendipity Point Films)… Expand

Director: Atom Egoyan

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Rating: Open

Runtime: 107 min

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Critic Reviews

Ray Bennett

Atom Egoyan has delivered a big, slick and sexy mystery in Where the Truth Lies, turning the Rupert Holmes novel into a sumptuous tale of show business hype and duplicity. Read full review

Ruthe Stein

High-gloss trash but compulsively watchable. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

When conventional answers arrive, Where the Truth Lies seems as cheesy as its title -- but its disorienting layers of narrative make the double-entendre almost profound. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Terrific performances by Kevin Bacon and Colin Firth as a comic duo clearly modeled on Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin get swallowed up in Atom Egoyan's muddled murder mystery. Read full review

Jami Bernard

Egoyan's uncharacteristic bid for the mainstream flames out on many levels, but it's hard not to stare with fascination at the dying embers. Read full review

Ken Tucker

The time shifts are awkward, and Egoyan displays little of the deftness of characterization he evinced in such movies as "Exotica" (1994) and "The Sweet Hereafter" (1997); the result is a cold scold of a movie. Read full review

Rene Rodriguez

Never before has Egoyan made a picture this egregiously, relentlessly bad. Read full review

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User Reviews

MicheleA.

Oct 13, 2005

Firth and Bacon were wonderful, cinematography and music lush. More enjoyable for the aura and characterizations than for the plot. Don't let the mixed reviews keep you from seeing it!

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GaleG.

Oct 14, 2005

Smart, intelligent departure for Egoyan. Entertaining whodunit surrounded by strong cast including ever surprising Colin Firth. Who knew among all his other talents he could scat? What's next gangster rap? A slick POV film that begs to be viewed repeatedly to see all the nuances. Smart, intelligent departure for Egoyan. Entertaining whodunit surrounded by strong cast including ever surprising Colin Firth. Who knew among all his other talents he could scat? What's next gangster rap? A slick POV film that begs to be viewed repeatedly to see all the nuances. Cheers to a job well done All!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Anandgyan

Oct 12, 2005

Slick production and many titillating moments, the thriller is astutely rendered, alas the detective seems naive though she delivers. In short; misleading lead characters!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChadS.

Apr 6, 2007

In the publishing industry, there are two types of autobiography: the memoir and the unauthorized tell-all. Karen(Alison Lohman) is an aspiring investigative journalist(imagine Kitty Kelley with a moral compass) writing a competing book about the life of Vince(Colin Firth), who comprised In the publishing industry, there are two types of autobiography: the memoir and the unauthorized tell-all. Karen(Alison Lohman) is an aspiring investigative journalist(imagine Kitty Kelley with a moral compass) writing a competing book about the life of Vince(Colin Firth), who comprised one-half of a comedy team that she admired as a polio-stricken lass. "Where the Truth Lies", Atom Egoyan's least painstakingly esoteric film since "Speaking Parts", is quite the departure for the celebrated Canadian filmmaker of Armenian descent; this time out, he's extending an olive branch out to the hoi polloi instead of catering strictly to a film festival jury(the only people alive who screened "Calendar") and movie buffs(I watched "Ararat" three times, sad, I know). On the surface, "Where the Truth Lies" thrills and titilates, but the central idea that Egoyan really wants to get across, echoes the same sentiment in Todd Solondz's "Storytelling", which is that all non-fiction is basically fiction. Each voice-over narrative, Vince's and Karen's, miss the truth by inches(white lies), or by miles(lies; a conspiracy to cover up the real story). "Where the Truth Lies" is Egoyan's first attempt at genre filmmaking and it's mostly successful, in spite of Lohman's inability(like Scarlett Johanson in "The Black Dahlia") to evoke the Hollywood sirens of yesteryear. Rachel Blanchard(who plays Maureen) is more successful, and should've had more screen time.… Expand

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Spangle

May 6, 2016

Starring classic noir structure to try and unveil the secret behind an incident concealed by two comedy partners, Where the Truth Lies is a riveting film to watch unfold, even if it does make it hard. Kevin Bacon is fantastic in this over-the-top role as the loose and crazy partner, whileStarring classic noir structure to try and unveil the secret behind an incident concealed by two comedy partners, Where the Truth Lies is a riveting film to watch unfold, even if it does make it hard. Kevin Bacon is fantastic in this over-the-top role as the loose and crazy partner, while Colin Firth does a great job as the straight man here. Together, they have great chemistry when they share the screen and even when they do not. This pairing simply works wonders for the film. Much criticism was given to Alison Lohman, but I actually quite liked her. She did fine. Instead of "Where the Truth Lies", this film should be called "Where the Film Dies" because there are more clues pertaining to that than any type of truth. Instead of truth and evidence, we get conjecture and guessing that is implied to be right. If there was evidence, it was lost in the overly convoluted plot structure that adds in multiple narrators and multiple timelines (without making it clear when the time switches). This creates a mishmash of storylines all trying to get out when there is one that we are supposed to be trying to figure out. Instead, they introduce us to numerous different characters who have no bearing on the plot whatsoever. This overplotting and overwriting makes this ultimate ending that much more complexing as we could barely follow the proceeding events, let alone make sense of what led to this ending. Instead of Lohman's character uncovering clues, it felt more like the Atom Egoyan just threw a dart at the wall to decide who was guilty in an attempt to trick the audience. Well, consider me tricked and unappreciative of the fact that this neo-noir erotic thriller missed the mark entirely. I wanted to love Where the Truth Lies, but this thing is such a jumbled mess that it makes it truly impossible.… Expand

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Kevin

Mar 28, 2006

Doesn't really make narrative sense. Characters are never really fleshed out. Not such a good adaptation of an excellent book.

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hamidgoodarzi

Mar 18, 2023

This movie is the weakest work I have seen from "Atom Egoyan". The film is confused in its narrative, although the topic of the film is so labyrinthine that it can stand until the end. Overall, it is a suitable film for entertainment. The characterization is not good and it seems to be oneThis movie is the weakest work I have seen from "Atom Egoyan". The film is confused in its narrative, although the topic of the film is so labyrinthine that it can stand until the end. Overall, it is a suitable film for entertainment. The characterization is not good and it seems to be one of those adaptation films where the original source is much better and more attractive than the film. For his fans, this film is influenced by the director of Armenian descent, and his shadow has fallen on the film.… Expand

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