After getting stuck in two movies with no English, I've decided to stick with
the Brits and the Aussies unless I can find a schedule telling me positively
that I've got some chance of being able to understand at least half the
movie. Maybe they should put English subtitles in Stephen Frears' "The Van",
too. Anyway, I trotted off to see "Brilliant Lies" from Australia mostly
because I see Anthony Lapaglia's name.
The film is better than sitting in the hotel contemplating the parties I'm
not at, but not something I'd recommend that you and the significant other
spend a lot of money to see. It's another sexual harassment movie. She
accuses him. He accuses her. She's a spoiled brat, and he is pig who
deserves whatever he gets. Her family is a motley crew consisting of one
hyper-Christian, one lesbian and one alcoholic father in denial. It isn't a
bad flick but I'd wait to see it on video, which shouldn't be too soon. And
then I feel foolish because since I didn't check the schedule, I found out
too late that "Brilliant Lies" isn't in any of the official sections. The
distribution company is screening it to drum up foreign sales. I have to
keep reminding myself that this is not just a festival but a market as well.
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