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Telling Lies in America

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Telling Lies in America
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGuy Ferland
Written byJoe Eszterhas
Produced byFran Rubel Kuzui
Ben Myron
Starring
CinematographyReynaldo Villalobos
Edited byJill Savitt
Music byNicholas Pike
Production
companies
  • Banner Entertainment
  • Ben Myron Productions
  • Kuzui Enterprises
  • Relevart Inc
Distributed byBanner Entertainment
Release dates
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$4 million[1]
Box office$318,809[2]

Telling Lies in Americais a 1997periodcoming-of-agedramafilm directed byGuy Ferlandand written byJoe Eszterhas.[3]

Plot

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Karchy Jonas is a 17-year-old high-school student and emigrant fromHungarytrying to find his way in the world. He meets radio personality Billy Magic who takes him under his wing. However, authorities are after Billy for acceptingpayolafrom record companies to give their songs air time. Billy picks Karchy, as when he figures out Karchy cheated to win his radio contest, he realizes he would be perfect to associate with Magic's scam. Karchy does so, not realizing that this may jeopardize him and his father's U.S. citizenship. He pursues a co-worker at a local grocery store where he works, only to find out she was engaged all along. Karchy idolizes Billy only to find out how corrupted, bitter and cynical he truly is.

Cast

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Production

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Eszterhas wrote the film in 1983 under the titleMagic Manbut could not sell it. Eventually his wife Naomi read the script and suggested he revisit it. "It was so moving, so good, I couldn't believe it hadn't been made," she said. "I thought it was too good to be sitting on a shelf. I thought the relationship between Karchy (the protagonist) and his father wasn't entirely worked out."[1]

Eszterhas rewrote the script and sold it to Banner Entertainment. The writer gave up his $100,000 fee so Max Schell could play a role.[1]

According to the websiteSplitsider,actorJohn Candywas considered for the role of Billy Magic.[4]

The film was shot in 24 days during August 1996 inCleveland, Ohio.[5]

Reception

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Telling Lies in Americareceived mixed to positive reviews from critics. It holds a 61% approval rating onRotten Tomatoes,based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 5.93/10.[6]OnMetacritic,the film has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[7]

Box office

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The film was released inlimited releaseopened at #22 at the North American box office and grossed $11,470.[2]The film would end with a domestic gross of $318,809.[2]

Accolades

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The film won awarded with a Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking at theNational Board of Review Awardsin 1997.[8]

Home media

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The film was released in DVD on April 25, 2000.[9]The film was released as part of a Blu-ray Disc double feature withTravellerfromShout! Factoryon May 29, 2012.[9]

References

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  1. ^abcWaxman, Sharon (October 25, 1997)."Sleazy Writer".The Washington Post.
  2. ^abc"Telling Lies in America".Box Office Mojo.
  3. ^Holden, Stephen(October 9, 1997)."FILM REVIEW; 60's Payola Is His First Taste of America".The New York Times.
  4. ^Evans, Bradford (2 June 2011)."The Lost Roles of John Candy".Splitsider.Archived fromthe originalon June 4, 2011.Retrieved26 September2016.
  5. ^Christopher, James (8 April 1998)."Film: The Truth About Telling Lies".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on May 26, 2022.Retrieved23 November2021.
  6. ^"Telling Lies in America (1997)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedMarch 5,2018.
  7. ^"Telling Lies in America Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedMarch 5,2018.
  8. ^"1997 Award Winners".National Board of Review.Retrieved5 February2023.
  9. ^ab"Telling Lies in America - Releases".AllMovie.Retrieved5 February2023.
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