The Ultimate Lie

A made-for-television feature with quite an interesting premise, the content is however not enough to last for feature length. It is additionally burdened by cliché-reliant directing and maudlin use of music, which make the film both look and sound like the run-of-the-mill telepic that in fact it is. The shots often feel too close up too, and although it raises some thought-provoking ideas, they are dealt with in a hackneyed, tiresome manner. Still, if nothing else, it is worth seeing what Michael Murphy does with his role. He is quite a good actor and capable of a very human performance - it is a shame that in his later years he has been reduced to supporting roles in such mediocre stuff as this. It is not a bad film per se, but "mediocre" sure is an apt term.