The Hoax (2006)

In what would cause a fantastic media frenzy, Clifford Irving sells his bogus biography of Howard Hughes to a premiere publishing house in the early 1970s.

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers:

William Wheeler (screenplay), Clifford Irving (book)

Stars:

Richard Gere, Alfred Molina, David Aaron Baker

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Aaron Baker	...	Brad Silber
John Carter	...	Harold Mcgraw
Judi Barton	...	Marion
Raul S. Julia	...	Bike Messenger (as Raul Julia Jr.)
James Biberi	...	Mcgraw-Hill Security
Richard Gere	...	Clifford Irving
Hope Davis	...	Andrea Tate
Christopher Evan Welch	...	Albert Vanderkamp
Okwui Okpokwasili	...	Malika
Alfred Molina	...	Dick Suskind
Bob Wiltfong	...	Sporting Goods Salesman
William Fowle	...	Car Salesman
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Edith Irving
Julie Delpy	...	Nina Van Pallandt
Antonie Knoppers	...	Fredrick Van Pallandt

Storyline

Early in 1971, the publishing company McGraw-Hill passes on Clifford Irving's new novel. He's desperate for money, so, against the backdrop of Nixon's reelection calculations, Irving claims he has Howard Hughes's cooperation to write Hughes's autobiography. With the help of friend Richard Suskind, Irving does research, lucks into a manuscript written by a long-time Hughes associate, and plays on corporate greed. He's quick-thinking and outrageously bold. Plus, he banks on Hughes's reluctance to enter the public eye. At the same time, he's trying to rebuild his marriage and deflect the allure of his one-time mistress, Nina van Pallandt. Can he write a good book, take the money, and pull off the hoax?

---

Plot Keywords:

howard hughes | rooftop | f word | 1971 | mcgraw hill publishing company | 

---

Taglines:

Based on the true story. Would we lie to you?

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax [United States] Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apgaule

Filming Locations:

New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,449,320, 6 April 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$7,156,933, 27 May 2007

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miramax,Bob Yari Productions,The Mark Gordon Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The story is based on the true-life Clifford Irving, an American writer, best known for his "authorized autobiography" of Howard Hughes which turned out to be a hoax.

---

Goofs

As Irving first researches Hughes for the hoax, he picks up an edition of Newsweek bearing the title "The Secret World of Howard Hughes," and dated 1971. He actually has the April 19, 1976 issue of Newsweek, which was printed after Hughes's death and included a sketch of Hughes during the last few years of his life.

---

Quotes

Edith Irving: You're always so careful when you talk, always so soft like a cushion for what you want. But I am leaving. But before I go, I give you something. You are exhausted from your lies. So tell the truth. Tell me the truth about what you did with her this time. It is your moment to be clean.
Clifford Irving: I saw her.

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Reaping/Firehouse Dog/Are We Done Yet?/The Hoax/First Snow (2007)

---

Soundtracks

You Can't Always Get What You Want
(1969)
Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
Performed by The Rolling Stones
Courtesy of ABKCO Music & Reocrds, Inc.

User Reviews

Roma Film Festival - the Hoax: good news for Richard Gere's fans

While fighting to enter in the theater where the press screening of the Roma Film Festival took place I hadn't great expectations for this film. The trailer looked so bad. More, I have never been much confident in Richard Gere's acting talents, but I must admit: in this film he proved me wrong. Appearing in almost every scene, not handsome as ever (he changed his hairline and his nose to look more like to the real Irving) Gere gives at last a good performance. I discovered he's also pretty good doing impressions - he does a great Howard Hughes, whose photos are constantly shown in the film and who, by the way, doesn't at all look like Di Caprio. Alfred Molina is also very good - hilariously funny, he's the best part in the movie. As for the supporting cast, there are pleasant cameos by Stanley Tucci and Eli Wallach. As for Richard Gere, I wasn't much confident in Lasse Hallström too - I found most of his films rather sappy. He did a good job in the Hoax though. The film has a nice "70s" look, with appropriate cinematography and a nice soundtrack as well. The one thing that didn't thoroughly convince me was the script: it started pretty well, but past the middle of the film it kinda loses its way and becomes more confused and repetitive. Still, a nice film. Gere fans, I'm sorry you will have to wait, since the opening in USA has been postponed to April, but the wait will be worth it. My rating is 7/10.