L.I.E. (2001)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Michael Cuesta

Writers:

Stephen M. Ryder (written by)
Michael Cuesta (written by)

Release Date:

29 November 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

On the Long Island Expressway there are lanes going east, lanes going west, and lanes going straight to hell.

Plot:

A 15-year-old Long Island boy loses everything and everyone he knows, soon becoming involved in a relationship with a much older man.

Plot Keywords:

Teen | Birthday Party | Ephebophile | Intergenerational Friendship | Jealousy

Awards:

20 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Paul Dano	...	Howie Blitzer (as Paul Franklin Dano)
Bruce Altman	...	Marty Blitzer
Billy Kay	...	Gary
James Costa	...	Kevin Cole
Tony Michael Donnelly	...	Brian (as Tony Donnelly)
Michelle Carano	...	Newscaster
Tatiana Burgos	...	Marty's Girlfriend
Brian Cox	...	Big John Harrigan
B. Constance Barry	...	Anne Harrigan
Walter Masterson	...	Scott
Brad Silnutzer	...	Henry
Bob Gerardi	...	Clifford
Adam LeFevre	...	Elliot
Frank Rivers	...	Man with Pizza (as Frank G. Rivers)
Anthony F. Peragine	...	Tough Kid #1

Also Known As:

Long Island Expressway (USA) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content involving teens, language and brief violence. (video version)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:18A | France:-16 | Germany:12 | Mexico:C | Portugal:M/12 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:18 | USA:NC-17 (original rating) | USA:Open (rating surrendered) (2002) | USA:R (video rating) (2002) (cut)

Filming Locations:

20 Swarthmore lane, Dix Hills, Long Island, New York, USA

Company:

Alter Ego Entertainment

Trivia:

The poem Howie recites in the car is "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking" by Walt Whitman.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the shots of Big John leaving after dropping Howie off at the prison, there is a steady rain (noticible by raindrops in the puddles). However, in shots of Howie, it does not appear to be raining and the ground is even dry in places.

Quotes:

Big John Harrigan: [on women] They're professional ball busters, and you know it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You: L.I.E. (#1.2)" (????)

Soundtrack:

Harrigan Song

Brilliant and daring

It's shocking that this film was ever made. You don't often get characters this well written in American independent cinema, and you certainly don't get characters who are pedophiles portrayed with this much thought behind them. Todd Solondz's Happiness can only be partially counted, as that pedophilic character was played half as comedy (very daring in its way, as well). Brian Cox gives the performance of a lifetime with this character - you won't entirely understand how perfect he is or how perfectly written he is until you see it. Any expectation you can come up with will be quashed when you see the film.

But, aside from that, this film is about young Howie, also played brilliantly by newcomer Paul Franklin Dano. This is one of the best films about the status of high school students today. No, not all kids are like this, but these characters represent an important segment in the school population. This could have easily been one of those my-dad-is-too-busy-to-pay-attention-to-me-so-I'm-going-to-act-out movies, and, indeed, it is in a way, but the characters and situations are so well written - and the film's technique is amazing, as well - that they're entirely believable.

I praise the hell out of Michael Cuesta for making this film. He's an absolute daredevil. Almost every piece of the film is like a highwire act, and he only stumbles at the very end. It's just too abrupt and simplistic, as if some producer thought that these characters shouldn't be able to live their lives. I hope Cuesta will make more films in the future. He's one of the best to pop up in the last few years.