I recently had an opportunity to see "Lying" written and directed by M. Blash (What's with the M. btw). I was initially attracted to this film because of Chloe Sevigny, Jena Malone and Leele Sobieski, all of whom I'm a fan of and none of whom disappointed in this film.
Lying is an effortlessly realistic depiction of what it would be like to go on vacation with three other people you hardly know. The "organic" conversations; sparse, almost awkward dialogue which shows how women interact with other women who are basically strangers. The tranquil countryside setting is so beautiful, and it is a perfect backdrop to the storyline.
As a viewer, I felt like I was on the vacation with these women; drinking wine, eating home-cooked meals alfresco, and exploring the nature that surrounds the spectacular home that they are visiting.
The cinematography is very well done. It is simple, yet elegant. The emphasis on the mundane; such as making coffee, truly makes this film appear that it is following some of the neo-realist aspects of film-making. The shots are well put together and thoroughly thought out. The use of natural light makes the movie really come to life. The rose colored sunsets, the bright yellow sunrises, etc.
The performances are so understated, that they are completely realistic. Chloe Sevigny gives a truly magical performance as Megan. She floats through the scenes, breezing through the light conversations as if these were words that she would just be saying anyway. Her performance is utterly natural.
At the end of the day, the film is about coming to know other people's intricacies. It is a slow-paced journey through a sublime weekend in the country.
I would absolutely recommend this movie. It is the perfect summer film to watch while drinking a glass of wine and reclining on your chaise lounge.
