No. 2. (2020) THE GOOD LIAR. January 8th.

Film No. 2 (2020) January 8th.  8:20 PM  FENWICK 3 CINEMAS  Esperance.                        

"So tell me, have you done this a lot? Met people on the computer service? Don't you find it's always the same? " (Betty enquires into Roy's motives for connecting with people, romantically, on-line).

This lavish, over stylized drama doesn't quite live up to its hype, but it comes close. The fact Mirren and McKellen play the leads helps, but they do have to work hard to give the slightly unhinged script some credibility. 

Betty McLeish (Mirren) is a widow looking for love on-line and connects with Roy Courtnay (McKellen). Roy is a professional shyster with a team, so why does he choose moderately wealthy Betty as a target? There is no script work to suggest he has done his homework on Betty like he had with the much more lucrative scam we witness early in the film. But then again maybe I'm missing the point. The point being, that this is solid 60's B Grade style caper drama with a first class cast. 

On the other hand however there are plenty of critics and punters who have, and are, enjoying The Good Liar. Me on the other hand was hoping for something a little less prosaic. Fans of Mirren, McLellen and Condon (director of Gods and Monsters and Mr Holmes) will, without a doubt, enjoy the ride. 8GUMS.