Lies & Illusions (2009)

A self help author is hunted by thugs who believe the writer holds millions of dollars in diamonds stolen by his dead fiancée.

Director:

Tibor Takács

Writer:

Eric James

Stars:

Christian Slater, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Ann Schultz

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christian Slater	...	Wes Wilson
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Isaac Kahn
Sarah Ann Schultz	...	Sam / Alicia
Christa Campbell	...	Nicole
Robert Giardina	...	Boone
Al Madrigal	...	Martin
John Casino	...	Sonny
Merritt Yohnka	...	Joey
Lochlyn Munro	...	Andrew
Alba Jeanne MacConnell	...	Elderly Woman (as Alba Jean McConnell)
Barrie McConnell	...	Elderly Man
Tracy Schornick	...	Bank President
Kelly Hyde	...	Bank Teller
Andrea Hubbard	...	Bank Woman
Saybher Perrigo	...	Maggie

Storyline

A self help author is hunted by thugs who believe the writer holds millions of dollars in diamonds stolen by his dead fiancée.

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Plot Keywords:

diamonds | murder | thief | evil man

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Taglines:

A writer, torn between two lovers is hunted by spies in search of stolen diamonds.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 2009 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Alicia's Book

Filming Locations:

Spokane, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Grand Army Entertainment, Lies and Deceptions Productions, Martini Films

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the scene where Nicole enters the hotel room after Samantha kills the goon, the door light flashes red, which only happens when the key is invalid, yet in the next shot she is seen opening the door.

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Quotes

Wes Wilson: Hey, please don't put me in this trunk. Please. Come on. I'm claustrophobic.
Boone: I don't care what kind of disease you have.

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Connections

References Miller's Crossing (1990)

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Soundtracks

"Way Of The Tropics"
Written by Stephen Edwards (as Stephen James Edwards)
Performed by Rocky Dawuni
Published by Sixfeetfive Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Sixfeetfive Music

User Reviews

Suggested tag line: "Not quite the worse film ever!"

I'll start by defending myself for actually watching this; someone else made me watch it! This isn't so much a review, but more of a warning. DON'T WATCH IT! The plot if you read the back of the DVD sounds quite promising. A writer's (Christian Slater) fiancé is kidnapped and he finds himself being chased by violent thugs (led by Cuba Golding Jr) who believe he has some diamond that his fiancé stole from them. Nothing groundbreaking about the plot, but OK, could be a good Saturday night action film. Alas no! What we get could be reasonably described as a cheese fest. Appalling acting, an awful plot, dismal effects and shoddy camera work.

Perhaps the most depressing part about this film is watching the death of the careers of two previously promising actors. Christian Slater and Cuba Golding Jr, both have successful films behind them, but both have had a recent string of turkeys, and this should just about finish them off. However to be fair, they are probably the best thing about this film, as the supporting cast are well out of their depths.

At one point in the film, it feels as though it might just save itself in becoming a sort of spoof of action films. The fight scenes and dialogue are so bad it is hilarious. The people watching it with me were laughing harder than we have done with some comedies. The trouble is, the film isn't meant to be funny.

I think this film has one use, to show it in film school to aspiring actors, directors, cameramen etc and explain this is how not to do a film.