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Telling Lies in America (1997)

 -  Drama | Music  -  15 October 1997 (USA)
6.2
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Ratings: 6.2/10 from 1,568 users   Metascore: 65/100
Reviews: 24 user | 24 critic | 20 from Metacritic.com

Karchy (Brad Renfro) is a boy in school who has moved from Hungary to America in the 1960's. He is struggling in school and trying to adjust to America's culture. He then hears about a ... See full summary »

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Title: Telling Lies in America (1997)

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Billy Magic
...
Karchy 'Chucky' Jonas
...
Dr. Istvan Jonas
...
...
Father Norton
...
Kevin Boyle
...
Henry
Damen Fletcher ...
Amos 'Blood Smith'
Jerry Swindall ...
Andy 'Croak' Stas
K.K. Dodds ...
Justine
James Kisicki ...
Cecil Simms
J.J. Horna ...
The Blind Kid
Ben Saypol ...
Timmy Morelli
...
Danny Hogan
Rohn Thomas ...
Sgt. Disapri
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Storyline

Karchy (Brad Renfro) is a boy in school who has moved from Hungary to America in the 1960's. He is struggling in school and trying to adjust to America's culture. He then hears about a radio DJ Billy Magic (Kevin Bacon) who holds a contest for a Student Hall of Fame every week. When Karchy finally wins after several weeks, he spends more time with Billy Magic...a man with money, girls, and glam. Karchy thinks that by spending time with Magic, he can become "cool". He then starts telling lies, to make himself seem greater than he really is. But when his lies begin hurting the people he cares about, he realizes that it isn't worth telling lies if it affects your friends. Afterwards, he learns to accept himself for the person he is, and gives up lying. And as for Billy Magic, it turns out that he pays his price for all the lies that he has told as well.... Written by <Aya704@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

radio dj | money | hall of fame | radio | 1960s | See more »

Taglines:

Just don't get caught. See more »

Genres:

Drama | Music

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sex related situations | See all certifications »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

15 October 1997 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Magic Man  »

Filming Locations:


Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$11,470 (USA) (17 October 1997)

Gross:

$252,318 (USA) (14 November 1997)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Candy lobbied to play the role of Billy Magic. But Candy's agent convinced him not to pursue the part. See more »

Goofs

About two-thirds through the movie, when Karchy picks his girlfriend up at the store after (her) work, they walk down a handicap wheelchair ramp which didn't exist in the 1960's. See more »

Quotes

Diney Majeski: Why you got to show off so much?
Karchy Jonas: Cause I ain't got that much to show.
See more »

Soundtracks

"Willie and the Hand Jive"
Performed by The Johnny Otis Show
Written by Johnny Otis
Courtesy of Capital Records
Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets
See more »

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User Reviews

 
A good movie about the seedy side of the music business
22 August 2000 | by (Singapore) – See all my reviews

This is a charming movie that touches upon payola in the 60's. Bacon takes money for overplaying a song on radio, thus boosting its ratings, and uses Renfro as a go-between for these dealings so that the money never goes direct from sponsor to Bacon. After a while Renfro becomes bolder as some of Bacon's attitude rubs off on him. He starts lying about his background, car and things he's done to impress those around him. But he finally quits when he realizes that these 'white' lies hurt as well as the 'black' ones. When the FBI decide to pressure Renfro into giving evidence against Bacon by speaking to the judge during his naturalization proceedings, things take an interesting twist as the judge, before the proceedings, speak to Renfro alone and have a little chat about George Washington and the cherry tree. Won't spoil it by telling you what it is, but watch and find out, as it has a bearing on the movie as well. Calista Flockhart puts up a pretty convincing performance as well.


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