The Truth About Lies

The Truth About Lies is a 2018 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Phil Allocco and stars Odette Annable, Colleen Camp, and Mary Elizabeth Ellis. The film explores the sticky web that lies can weave, especially when one starts to deceive their way out of unfortunate circumstances.

The movie revolves around the life of Gilby Smalls, played with a blend of vulnerability and wry humor by Fran Kranz. Gilby is a down-on-his-luck and unemployed perennial slacker living in New York City, who just does not seem to catch a break. His circumstances take a turn for the worse when his girlfriend dumps him, he loses his job, and his apartment goes up in flames. Being fired and facing ruin in quick succession, Gilby's life hits rock bottom.

Desperate and out of options, Gilby is forced to move in with his eccentric and overbearing mother, May, brought to life by the formidable Colleen Camp, and her new boyfriend. Gilby's life seems to be on a downward spiral until he meets Rachel, played with a radiant charm by Odette Annable. Rachel is an alluring, free-spirited woman and Gilby's beautiful friend's sister. She’s beautiful, kind, and far removed from the world of lies and disappointment Gilby has surrounded himself with.

Sensing an opportunity to restart his life, Gilby begins to build an intricate web of lies to win her over. To present himself as attractive and successful, he crafts a grand narrative, filled with career achievements and a glamorous lifestyle that he is a part of—an alternate version of his reality. However, he soon realizes that once you start lying, it's hard to stop. The consequences escalate, and the facade becomes harder to maintain as he gets deeper into the deceit.

Meanwhile, there's Rachel’s quirky best friend, played by Mary Elizabeth Ellis, who adds a dose of levity with her comic timing and light-hearted approach to life. Each character in the film is etched with their unique eccentricity, making for an entertaining ensemble that supports the main narrative seamlessly.

In addition to the romantic aspect, The Truth About Lies is a stark social commentary on the lengths people go to project an inflated image of themselves to the world, especially when they find their lives lacking. It reflects on the age of social media where outward appearances often eclipse the inherent truth of situations. The movie pushes viewers to question how far they would go to put up a facade in order to fit into societal expectations and to gain approval or to impress others.

The film is cleverly paced, more so in the second half, where the comedic situations become absurdly hilarious. Kranz excels in bringing out the frustration, embarrassment, and unconscious humor in the difficult situations that Gilby often finds himself in, especially given his continuous attempts to keep up with his lies.

From the excellent performances to the interesting story concept, The Truth About Lies is an entertaining package. It brings depth and authenticity to a genre which one might think has very little new to offer. Director Phil Allocco succeeds in presenting a plot that is equally humorous and thought-provoking, using the charm and wit of the main characters to deliver a story about love, honesty, and the lies we tell ourselves and others.

Preferably for adults, the movie also effectively explores themes of relationship dynamics, societal pressure, the fragility of the ego, and most importantly, the vitality of truth in a world which is too often members by pretense.

Overall, The Truth About Lies is a comic ride that even while making you laugh, forces you to think about society's constraints, self-image, and the unremitting charm of honesty. It's a movie about revelations, transformations, and about how love has a funny way of turning up in the weirdest of times and places—it's a must-watch for those calling themselves a fan of romantic comedies with a dash of realism.