Today’s quick review: The Good Liar. When Roy Courtnay (Ian McKellen) and Betty McLeish (Helen Mirren) meet each other on a dating site for elderly singles, they find that they are a perfect match. There’s only one catch: Roy is actually a con man more interested in Betty’s money than her company. But to get what he wants, Roy will have to not only win her confidence but outwit her grandson Stephen (Russell Tovey) before he can dig into Roy’s past.
The Good Liar is a crime drama about a con artist, his innocent mark, and a dark secret from his past. The Good Liar begins as an ordinary con movie, peppered with light humor and more dramatic glimpses into Roy’s true nature. As the story progresses, it shifts direction to become something closer to a mystery, ending in a very different place than where it started. Its unusual story and talented acting make The Good Liar a fascinating watch.
The Good Liar walks a fine line with its story and its tone. The interactions between Roy and Betty are typically light and sweet, although the film never quite tips over into comedy. The dramatic teasers are vivid enough to hint at what’s to come without leaving too sour an impression. The puzzle comes together through a series of careful developments and revelations, culminating in a peculiar ending that’s nevertheless worth the build-up.
There are a few places where The Good Liar’s gambles may not pay off for some viewers. The writing and setup are fairly sedate and won’t be enough to hook audiences who are used to higher stakes and bigger thrills. The balance of levity and menace makes The Good Liar hard to classify; not everyone will appreciate the tonal ambiguity. It also has to weave together several disparate threads to tell its story, a difficult feat to pull off.
The Good Liar is a worthwhile pick for those looking for something cerebral. It takes the classic con movie foundation and pushes it in a different direction. The compromises it makes along the way lead to an unusual story, but the strength of its script, acting, and ideas are enough to hold the movie together. Those hoping for a taste of something dark should look no farther. Those hoping for an outright thriller may want to skip it.
For another crime drama about a man trying to outrun his past, try The Statement. For another movie about a confidence scheme, try The Sting, Matchstick Men, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, or Paper Moon. For a more uplifting crime comedy with an elderly cast, try Going in Style or The Old Man & the Gun.
6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a low-key plot that goes in fairly interesting directions.