Big Fat Liar *** (2002, Frankie Muniz, Paul Giamatti, Amanda Bynes) – Classic Movie Review 1275

Frankie Muniz, so good in TV’s Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006), is enjoyable here in director Shawn Levy’s amiable 2002 American teen comedy Big Fat Liar as a 14-year-old pathological liar and con artist named Jason Shepherd who likes to tell tall stories, deceiving and misleading his way out of trouble.

But he finds his school essay creative writing assignment is stolen by a sneaky, arrogant Hollywood producer named Marty Wolf (played by Paul Giamatti). Wolf plans to use it to make the fictional film of the same name, and promptly turns it into a film hit. Naturally, Frankie goes to Hollywood, looking for revenge.

To tell the truth, this hasn’t as many laughs in its 88 minutes as in a half-hour Malcolm episode, but it’s still bright, lively and fun. And Muniz’s small-screen cheery charm and appealing sense of humour are intact. Dan Schneider’s screenplay is formulaic and lacks wit but it is commendably flashy and energetic.

Amanda Bynes co-stars as Jason’s best friend Kaylee, who goes with him to Los Angeles to make Wolf confess to using Jason’s story, to clear his name, and to get him out of having to attend summer school.

It did well, grossing more than $40 million in the US for a total of $53 million worldwide, more than tripling its $15 million budget.

The 5′ 5″ Muniz says: ‘There was a scene cut out of Big Fat Liar where I had to wear a dress. This may sound kind of weird, but I really enjoyed shooting that scene.’

In 2003, when he made Agent Cody Banks, Muniz was considered ‘one of Hollywood’s most bankable teens.’ In 2008, he put his acting career on hold to pursue an open wheel racing career and competed in the Atlantic Championship. In 2012, he joined the band Kingsfoil as a drummer. On November 30 2012, Muniz was hospitalised after having a mini stroke and suffered a second transient ischemic attack in November 2013. He is 33 on December 5 2018.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1275

Link to Derek Winnert’s home page for more film reviews: http://derekwinnert.com/

Muniz at the 2011 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race.