Lies We Tell ** (2017, Gabriel Byrne, Sibylla Deen, Jan Uddin, Mark Addy, Harvey Keitel, Gina McKee) – Movie Review

Gabriel Byrne gives an earnest, capable star turn as Donald, a trusted, old-school driver, whose job is it to deal with his dead boss Demi (Harvey Keitel)’s affairs – in particular his Muslim mistress Amber (Sibylla Deen). This gets Donald into a deadly clash with her notorious gangster cousin ex-husband (Jan Uddin).

The premise is good, and fairly original, though with echoes of Mona Lisa (1986). And yes this is an interesting British thriller actually about something and with many things on its mind it wants to share with us.

There are some tense scenes and the film’s good intentions cannot be doubted, but there is a lot of clumsy dialogue and plotting that challenge credibility and erode entertainment value. Story-writer and director Mitu Misra’s inexperience shows along with his good intentions.

Gabriel Byrne and Sibylla Deen in Lies We Tell (2017).

Byrne and Deen apart, some of the acting is weak, and it is frustrating that Keitel has so little to do – his character is already dead when the film starts! – and that Gina McKee is wasted. The filming on the streets of Bradford is good and atmospheric, and Zbigniew Preisner’s prize-winning score is an asset.

The screenplay is by Ewen Glass and Andy McDermott.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Movie Review

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com