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Telling Lies in America (1997) 6.2
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 » Director:Guy FerlandWriter:Joe Eszterhas |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Kevin Bacon | ... |
Billy Magic
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| Brad Renfro | ... |
Karchy 'Chucky' Jonas
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| Maximilian Schell | ... |
Dr. Istvan Jonas
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| Calista Flockhart | ... | ||
| Paul Dooley | ... |
Father Norton
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| Jonathan Rhys Meyers | ... |
Kevin Boyle
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| Luke Wilson | ... |
Henry
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Damen Fletcher | ... |
Amos 'Blood Smith'
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Jerry Swindall | ... |
Andy 'Croak' Stas
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K.K. Dodds | ... |
Justine
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James Kisicki | ... |
Cecil Simms
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J.J. Horna | ... |
The Blind Kid
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Ben Saypol | ... |
Timmy Morelli
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| Tony Devon | ... |
Danny Hogan
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Rohn Thomas | ... |
Sgt. Disapri
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Plot Summary
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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>
Taglines:
Just don't get caught. See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
15 October 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Magic Man See more »Filming Locations:
Cleveland, Ohio, USABox Office
Budget:
$4,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$11,470 (USA) (17 October 1997)Gross:
$252,318 (USA) (14 November 1997)Company Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Karchy Jonas: Cause I ain't got that much to show.
See more »
Performed by The Johnny Otis Show
Written by Johnny Otis
Courtesy of Capital Records
Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets
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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 »
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.