Stories of con artists and online dating gone awry are far from new, yet Bill Condon’s “The Good Liar” promises something different. Instead of cliches about young people grifting vulnerable seniors, the film focuses on two mature leads to carry the powerful material. It’s no mistake that ‘Liar’ highlights Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen in the starring roles; these two film icons prove to be a potent match when paired together.
Bill Condon is an interesting—if not too surprising—choice to helm the picture. After all, the director is no stranger to McKellen, having worked with him on the 2015 film “Mr. Holmes.” Much like ‘Liar,’ the feature gave viewers a portrait of an aging icon. Its use of dementia as a device to steer one of literature’s most well-known characters proved less of a fascination for anyone who has seen the disease take its toll.
Just as Condon did with ‘Holmes,” “The Good Liar” takes its cues from an original novel. In the case of ‘Liar,” the source material comes from Nicholas Searle. If the film stays true to its critically acclaimed counterpart—the immenseness of certain secrets and a decades-long exposition could prove interesting. For now, the project’s official synopsis only delves into the present aspects of the story:
Career con artist Roy Courtnay can hardly believe his luck when he meets well-to-do widow Betty McLeish online. As Betty opens her life and home to him, Roy is surprised to find himself caring about her, turning what should be a cut-and-dry swindle into the most treacherous tightrope walk of his life.
Russell Tovey also stars in the film. His role as a concerned son may become the true dramatic surprise if he can keep up with the highly skilled actors in his company. The film opens on November 8 in the U.K. and November 15 in the U.S. Watch the trailer below.
