Disjointed and without one laugh. Characters are shallow and their actions are unbelievable. It's a shame because most of the actors are good. They're just not given anything to work with. Pass.
23 Reviews
Generally bad
TobyMartini30 December 2019
Male fantasy rubbish!
ukxenafan120 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
So you are a lazy loser dorky guy, of course it is your mothers fault, your girlfriend doesn't appreciate you but super hot Odette Annable will love you so telling lies endlessly is perfectly ok. I must admit I 've always found Fran Kranz smarmy and irritating ever since Dollhouse, however this film relies on everyone finding him totally adorable and irresistible - so if you're a Fran fan, you'll probably have a very different opinion. To me it was a male fantasy - an doofus getting the high powered job and the hot girl - while actually being totally undeserving. We are seeing the world totally though his eyes and supposed to root for him while I just wanted to give the smug git a slap!
Not Good Enough
PennyReviews22 April 2020
Overall, it was dull. The movie starts with the main character losing everything and hitting rock bottom, before he starts lying, unintentionally, a strategy that leads to him haing a few weeks of a fantasy life and that's it. The movie never goes deeper than the surface, like with the case of the father, that was left like that, or the best friend. The romance was also lousy and difficult to like, there were only few moments worth laughing and the ending was just wide open.
Look, Odette Annable can act!
srdjan_veljkovic30 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
There are a few interesting things about this movie:
Otherwise, it's not very fun or funny, though it has its moments.
Although the ending is not very good, it's not bad and the movie doesn't fall apart near the end, like lots of modern comedies do.
Bottom line, it's an unusual and passable comedy, worth a watch.
- Odette Annable never looked better
- It actually looked like she can act
- There are interesting quotes about lies and lying throughout the movie
- The view of people and how they lie to each other and themselves, often for no particular reason or purpose, then get into trouble for it
Otherwise, it's not very fun or funny, though it has its moments.
Although the ending is not very good, it's not bad and the movie doesn't fall apart near the end, like lots of modern comedies do.
Bottom line, it's an unusual and passable comedy, worth a watch.
I came for Fran Kranz, I stayed for the LIES
irishgirl29 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Stop giggling about the 'I came' line, get your mind outta the gutter.
Ok, I'm really confused, but I have a hunch, so let me speculate here.
This film was not great. It was OK, but not really memorable or witty. It was an interesting take to be rooting for the cheaters of the story, and not the one they cheated on (even though we are meant to feel this way, I don't think the script did a good enough job convincing me that the wife cheating on her husband was a good idea). But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because the ending of this story was TERRIBLE. You expect me to feel like this is a happy ending because the 2 leads get together after the guy reconciles with his ex and she (the ex) has done nothing wrong? And the wife says she 'messed up' to her husband, and that's it? It's a clean separation, she has no bad karma or anything? WHAT??? I was so confused that the film just ended with Gilby cheating on his ex, now current girlfriend, and while they were getting along so well too. I didn't want him to end up with the wife! If you wanted me to feel this way, why even put the ex back in the picture? It's like you rewarded your character for lying and cheating by not giving him any consequences. Oh well! Guess I'll just go back to my old girlfriend then! She'll have me back! I learn nothing! I'm a big jerk! CLEARLY!
But but but! That's not the best part! The best part is reading all of the ridiculously generic positive reviews for this film, giving it 7 to 9 out of 10 stars for every review! And also this on rotten tomatoes! WHAT?!?!?!? Oh that's rich. That's laughable. The handful of people that saw this film probably all had a really good laugh. The trailer on youtube give all these accolades right at the beginning, for all the film festivals this film has been peddled to, with the palm leaf frame. People like palm leaves, makes things look important, right? But this film is NOT a modern day When Harry Met Sally. All of these reviews were all written in November of last year. Smells like bribes! Might even be all the same person, who knows! I've just never seen anything so manufactured on review pages as I have here. I just had to write something, and I haven't wrote a review in years.
Anyway, I love Fran Kranz. He is the very best thing about this film, and you gave him to me in spades. I thank you for that. As for the rest of it, please look up books by Sidney Lumet and then come back to the world of filmmaking, kaythanksbye.
Ok, I'm really confused, but I have a hunch, so let me speculate here.
This film was not great. It was OK, but not really memorable or witty. It was an interesting take to be rooting for the cheaters of the story, and not the one they cheated on (even though we are meant to feel this way, I don't think the script did a good enough job convincing me that the wife cheating on her husband was a good idea). But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because the ending of this story was TERRIBLE. You expect me to feel like this is a happy ending because the 2 leads get together after the guy reconciles with his ex and she (the ex) has done nothing wrong? And the wife says she 'messed up' to her husband, and that's it? It's a clean separation, she has no bad karma or anything? WHAT??? I was so confused that the film just ended with Gilby cheating on his ex, now current girlfriend, and while they were getting along so well too. I didn't want him to end up with the wife! If you wanted me to feel this way, why even put the ex back in the picture? It's like you rewarded your character for lying and cheating by not giving him any consequences. Oh well! Guess I'll just go back to my old girlfriend then! She'll have me back! I learn nothing! I'm a big jerk! CLEARLY!
But but but! That's not the best part! The best part is reading all of the ridiculously generic positive reviews for this film, giving it 7 to 9 out of 10 stars for every review! And also this on rotten tomatoes! WHAT?!?!?!? Oh that's rich. That's laughable. The handful of people that saw this film probably all had a really good laugh. The trailer on youtube give all these accolades right at the beginning, for all the film festivals this film has been peddled to, with the palm leaf frame. People like palm leaves, makes things look important, right? But this film is NOT a modern day When Harry Met Sally. All of these reviews were all written in November of last year. Smells like bribes! Might even be all the same person, who knows! I've just never seen anything so manufactured on review pages as I have here. I just had to write something, and I haven't wrote a review in years.
Anyway, I love Fran Kranz. He is the very best thing about this film, and you gave him to me in spades. I thank you for that. As for the rest of it, please look up books by Sidney Lumet and then come back to the world of filmmaking, kaythanksbye.
I highly recommend this interesting and hilarious take on a romantic comedy.
andreat-542802 November 2017
We all have those moments in life when everything starts falling apart. It feels like a things build up and your support system isn't there anymore. This film hits that on the head, Gilby (Fran Kranz) performance is believable, and you don't feel sorry for him but you just understand why things in life aren't going the way they should. The film does a great job of using situations as comedy and it's done in a sophisticated way. You don't feel forced to laugh while watching the film, it comes naturally similar to the blossoming relationship between Rachel (Odette Annable) and Gilby (Fran Kranz). Also, the chemistry between them is organic and grows throughout the movie. Considering their situation and that it is scandalous it's important that the relationship builds slowly. As a viewer, I found myself rooting for them to stay together because they charmed me as did the entire movie. Funny, surprising, and lovable. I highly recommend this interesting and hilarious take on a romantic comedy.
Bright, witty & unconventional story of life & love
anascarella2 November 2017
The Truth About Lies is downright one of the most honest & entertaining films I have seen in a long time. Between the all-star cast and charismatic energy that each of them individually, this movie was truly a pleasure to watch. The director of the film, Phil Allocco, did a tremendous job of creating a fresh, unique script that not only held the attention of its audiences, but made them feel for the characters as human beings. The candor and frankness of Gilby's pessimistic demeanor is what I resonated most with to be honest. It seems when one unfortunate event occurs in life, several more follow and that is precisely what happens in the film. His journey of self- discovery complete with laughter-inducing mishaps is one that everyone can relate to. This film is charming, witty and just REAL. After discovering the numerous awards that it has won at various film festivals, it's easy to see why! I cannot recommend this film enough, and I will be looking forward to more projects by Mr. Allocco.
Modern Day When Harry Met Sally
jlsh-9937317 November 2017
Phil Allocco knocks it out of the park with a film that emphasizes a romantic and comedic tale of lies and relationships. The film shows the true dynamics of relationships as the main character weaves a complex web of lies to get a girl out of his league to fall for him. The acting styles of Fran Kranz and Mary Elizabeth Ellis along with Odette Annable contribute to the hilarity of this film as we witness the main character's, Gilby, misfortune come to fruition. The movie is hilarious, quirky, and meaningful. It is a good reminder that in life and love, honesty is most important. The cast chemistry and setting in New York City add to the romanticism of this film and the story behind it. If you liked When Harry Met Sally, 500 Days of Summer, or Bridget Jones Diary this is the movie for you. I would very much recommend this for a cozy night in with your significant other!
Hilarious and relatable
alannakouri17 November 2017
I am already a fan of romantic comedies so I may be biased but I think The Truth About Lies stands apart from the sea of typical rom-coms that are out. The main elements that stood out to me are the dynamic cast and unique, witty writing.
The movie has this type of humor that is both quirky and at times, reminiscent of 500 Days of Summer. They managed to avoid the dreaded curse of cheesiness that most romantic comedies succumb to. They pulled off a perfect equilibrium between comedy and relationships which can be appreciated by more than just the "chick-flick" genre lovers. While keeping the writing quick and humorous, the story included real issues, which is rare for comedies. Cheating, lying, and getting your life together are all things everyone can relate to or has experienced at one point. Ironically, it was very honest for being a movie centered on lies.
As I said, the cast is also a large part of the hilarity of this movie. Fran Kranz' comedic background is evident in his portrayal of the quirky, awkward male lead. The chemistry between him and Odette Annable was very easy to believe and more likable than a lot of unrequited love stories. It was easy to root for them despite the circumstances. I think the skilled cast in addition to the original writing made this movie one I would recommend to everyone.
The movie has this type of humor that is both quirky and at times, reminiscent of 500 Days of Summer. They managed to avoid the dreaded curse of cheesiness that most romantic comedies succumb to. They pulled off a perfect equilibrium between comedy and relationships which can be appreciated by more than just the "chick-flick" genre lovers. While keeping the writing quick and humorous, the story included real issues, which is rare for comedies. Cheating, lying, and getting your life together are all things everyone can relate to or has experienced at one point. Ironically, it was very honest for being a movie centered on lies.
As I said, the cast is also a large part of the hilarity of this movie. Fran Kranz' comedic background is evident in his portrayal of the quirky, awkward male lead. The chemistry between him and Odette Annable was very easy to believe and more likable than a lot of unrequited love stories. It was easy to root for them despite the circumstances. I think the skilled cast in addition to the original writing made this movie one I would recommend to everyone.
Totally recommended
alexthesundancekid7 November 2017
One of the most incredible things in cinema is that for an hour and a half the problems are not yours. In this movie, we follow Gilby Smalls, a guy with a tremendous amount of bad luck but also an incredible talent to get out of trouble. Fran Kranz gives an impressive comically-skilled performance that allowed me to immerse into the story from the very beginning. Phil Allocco, the director, led the cast marvelously to enhance the story and make it even more entertaining. There is a strong similitude to the movie MANHATTAN, as the main character's neurotic and nervous personality keeps this film dynamically funny and relatable. You will be too busy laughing while trying to figure out how the characters will get out of trouble. Well directed, wonderfully acted, hilariously realistic and entirely recommended.
Gilby (Fran Kranz) hits rock bottom and uses lies to build his life back up.
vsteiner-1903616 November 2017
The Truth About Lies takes lying to a whole new level. Phil Allocco's writing is phenomenally funny. He isn't afraid to take risks with the hipster crowd. Allocco uses their plant-eating lifestyle and shows an extreme that puts the characters in awkward situations. I was laughing so hard when Gilby (Fran Kranz) lied about his food and Rachel (Odette Annable) gave him hers to finish as well. The reactions of the two hippy friends was so over-the-top that it made their conversations with Gilby (Fran Kranz) and Rachel (Odette Annable) amusingly awkward. I'd recommend this movie to Rom-com lovers!
Self-Discovery shrouded in Lies
kevincruzfilmz7 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The love story between the self-discovering characters in The Truth About Lies mixed in with the hipster comedy reminded me of college life and how dramatically funny people can be. The things done for love is something that has been taken to a level that is cringy yet amusing to watch in this film. The narcissism in some of the characters creates a realistic trait that is all too recognizable and certainly entertaining. Sharon (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) is by far a model example for this feature as she phenomenally performed her role as the self- absorbed girlfriend. On top of that, my favorite scene was when Gilby (Fran Kranz) was confronted with a relentless customer who made his job little harder. As a customer service worker, I can relate to his pain but also laugh with him on how irrational people can be. I recommend this lovable rom com to those who enjoy laughing at life's cringy yet teachable moments.
relatable & witty!
khanditalopes7 November 2017
Phil Allocco's The Truth About Lies is a rom-com that follows the musings of Gilby (Franz Kranz) a man without a plan. This film is well written and is jam packed with witty banter and situational humor, portrayed by an authentic charismatic cast. The characters are all relatable which is unusual for a rom-com. Allocco does a great job at merging all the markers to make a great film. I really appreciate how director Phil Allocco not only brought to life an original storyline but he gives his audience an unpredictable ending. This film has something for everyone to relate to whether it be the crazy family drama, lackluster love life or the journey towards self discovery. If you're interested in watching a film that presents the true dynamics of relationships in a comedic manner than I strongly recommend watching this film!
Lighthearted and Quirky
reggaray8 November 2017
As someone who regularly enjoys watching romantic comedies, I can honestly say that The Truth About Lies provides a fresh new take on the genre. This film integrated the ideal balance of romance, comedy and drama while perfectly depicting the hardships that one can face when involved in an unhealthy relationship. Odette Annable took on the role of Rachel and delivered a character that was both relatable and realistic. Similarly, Fran Kranz personified the role of Gilby and shaped a character that gave the audience someone to empathize with. These elements combined with the rest of the cast, generated impeccable on screen chemistry and delivered a seamless performance. Pushing a "fake it till you make it" mentality, this film undeniably delivered the lighthearted experience I always crave from romantic comedies. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed this film and would highly recommend it.
Worth the Watch!
colehrogers7 November 2017
The Truth about lies is an exceptional film! Depicting how lies and "faking it till you make it" can trap someone in a web of dishonestly, director Phil Allocco goes above and beyond in this unconventional love story. While the film was full of quirky and embarrassing moments, it was undeniably funny. Allocco was able to honestly and comically portray a taboo relationship between a man and his boss's wife, and how it may realistically end!! I was presently surprised by the quality of actors and overall plot development. Lies and love have never been so enjoyable. Highly recommended!
It reminds me of a Rolad Dahl story
shaffer-110-96994316 February 2018
I found the screenplay bright and with enough twists and turns to keep us interested. And who couldn't love a boy actor named Oakes Fegley. In the this day where most screenplays are refreshed this one brings a bit more levity to the increasingly bland film selection.
A RomCom with romance and comedy not seen often
kooldk3773 February 2018
Charming and Smart
halleydurr-2668416 November 2017
The Truth About Lies has just joined my list of great romantic comedies. This movie is great because it's not just funny and cute, it's well written, and has a phenomenal cast with amazing chemistry. This movie reminded me how smart, witty, and charming romantic comedies can be. It deals with relationships beyond romance and gets deep into family, friendship, and dealing with life in general. You get to see the main character, Gilby grow as a character in his journey of self-discovery. The film does this all while still being hilarious. The sarcastic, dry humor in the movie had me laughing until my stomach hurt, and the witty banter between the main love interests reminded me of a Woody Allen movie. I seriously cannot recommend this movie enough, and it's a must see for anyone who loves a great romantic comedy.
Breath of Fresh Air
begpromotions6 November 2017
Rom-coms tend to cater more towards an older audience and for this reason I tend to shy away from them. Surprisingly, that wasn't the case for this movie. This film completely captured my attention and I was able to connect to it on a personal level. It was nice seeing someone else going through the same struggles that I am going through, and then little by little overcoming them in a humorous way. Odette Annable had a standout role. She was able to carry on the plot, which consisted of getting Gilby's life together, while also delivering her hilarious scenes and many punchlines without being awkward or cringy. Phil Allocco was able to portray the many hardships and heartbreaks in a very comical but meaningful way. He also provided a dynamic story-line without getting off-track and losing the audience, which is also another big deal in my eyes. A rom-com that actually had a meaning, therefore I will be recommending.
Dynamic and Outrageously Funny
lindsmead8 November 2017
A dynamic film on relationships, family drama and self discovery, The Truth About Lies is an outrageously amusing romantic comedy that I cannot get enough of. Fran Kranz (Gilby) and Odette Annabelle (Rachel) did a stupendous job playing their characters and produced incredible cast chemistry between one another. Besides the fact of this film having an enticing unconventional love story, I appreciate the other elements such as coming to terms with your identity and facing heartbreak. The "fake it till you make it" theme of the movie was also one of my favorite parts. It reminded me of films like Catch Me If You Can and Just Go With It. In my opinion, this film was very well written and had a refreshingly original storyline. While it contained a lot of situational humor, I was still able to relate to it because of the family drama and the indecisive relationship issues with cheating and scandalous love affairs. I'm pretty sure there's at least one aspect people could relate to in this film. Hats off to director Phil Allocco, extraordinary job.
A Rom Com for the new age
jonalves6 November 2017
I've only seen a handful of romantic comedies, 500 Days of Summer, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Say Anything are my favorites. So, I was skeptical when going into watching The Truth About Lies. However, after watching the film I would definitely put this in one of my top romantic comedies list. The film had the perfect blend of comedy and romance. The genuine chemistry between the two leads was very prevalent throughout the film as they were seen giving off great lines to each other and feeding off of them as well. It was almost as if they were friends since college. The romance in the film also felt extremely natural and I found myself rooting for the couple the whole time. The Truth About Lies is a film that will touch your heart and have you laughing at the same time, truly a remarkable film in the rom-com genre.
refreshing romantic comedy
edwinkayee20 November 2017
The Truth About Lies was one of the most refreshing romantic comedies that I have seen in a long time. The film followed Gilby, a desperate and unemployed man whose life seems to be a constant trainwreck. In order to achieve success and to impress the woman of his dreams, he begins weaving an ever growing web of lies. The Truth About Lies kept me laughing from beginning to end! Gilby and his ridiculous antics as he tried to impress Rachel was extremely entertaining and fun to watch. Though the film is reminiscent of films such as "Liar, Liar" and "When Harry Met Sally", The Truth About Lies goes above and beyond. The hilarious one-liners and witty banter kept me engaged throughout the film and also excited about what writer/director, Phil Allocco, has left in store. But, besides seamlessly intertwining romance and comedy, the film also did a great of maintaining a level of "realness". I could empathize with Gilby because "adulting" can be extremely difficult and there are times when life really gets you down. I was extremely pleased with The Truth About Lies and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to have a good laugh!
The Truth About Lies is a witty unconventional love-story!
destinisheltonr20 November 2017
After watching The Truth About Lies by Phil Allocco, I was taken on an emotional roller coaster filled with an interesting mix of banter, heartbreak, drama and even more witty humor! In this unconventional love story, with the awesome talents of Odette Annable (SuperGirl), Fran Kranz (The Cabin in the Woods), Colleen Camp (American Hustle), Mary Elizabeth Ellis (It's Always Sunny), Allocco follows a desperate man who gets caught up in a web of lies which inevitably gets unveiled. This witty comedy is about self- discovery, finding love, and unveiling the truth. "With all jokes aside", it had a lot of depth and was very well-written. Particularly with this romantic comedy, one of my favorite aspects of the film was its unconventionality and direction. The "shifts" he took between drama and comedy were not what we are used to in typical feature films. It was also unexpected and carefully orchestrated, Allocco really knew what he was doing with this one! What I love most about independent films like this, is the freedom to dive deeper into an idea without the blockbuster mentality. Though this is "not-your-typical-rom com", it did something interesting with the genres that is refreshing compared to what we are used to. Much of the success of the film goes to the amazingly talented cast. Their characters and their chemistry really carried the director's vision- -they did a great job capturing that. Overall, I think the film was very well-done and I highly recommend a watch.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
