Telling Lies in America

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Telling Lies in America

PG-13

1997

1h 41m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

67%

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18 Reviews

46%

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1,000+ Ratings

A job with a hip disc jockey (Kevin Bacon) shapes a teen's (Brad Renfro) life and that of his poor immigrant father (Maximilian Schell) in 1960s Cleveland.

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Joe Holleman

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Bacon and Renfro are a perfect team.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 7, 2024

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

While the elements in this coming-of-age saga may seem familiar...Eszterhas brings a fresh, immigrant's-eye perspective to his tale.

Mar 5, 2018

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Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

The Hungarian angle gives the film a little distinctiveness.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 12, 2013

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Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Kevin Bacon gives one of the best performances of his career

Rated: 3/5

Apr 19, 2008

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 20, 2005

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Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 5, 2005

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 41 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $275,200.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Jeff M

I hate reviewing movies like this one! I call them "rainy day movies". They occupy your time for a couple hours, there's nothing inherently wrong with them, but there's not a single thing you'll remember about them weeks or days or even hours later. Bacon is reliably charismatic and watching the late Renfro, who died of a heroin overdose at 25, one can't help but wonder what kind of career he might have had ahead of him. Other than that, it's all a bit blah. Calista Flockhart and Luke Wilson appear in woefully underwritten roles. There's a nice red Cadillac that will appeal to the car lovers in the audience. 60s music lovers will appreciate the soundtrack. Other than that, I'm at a loss for words. So I guess I'll just keep this review short, and save my big words and witty barbs for the movies that I really love or really despise. Apathy is the pits!

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

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steve d

Bacon is entertaining enough to drive the film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

A smooth Kevin Bacon here , a bit shaking but not like in classis " Footlose " , fine 60's music in it ...good one ! SOMDVD

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

A truly great movie. Best script Joe Eszterhas ever wrote. Best performance Kevin Bacon ever gave. And Brad Renfro was absolutely brilliant..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

Difficult to get into, character development is not great. Fairly cute storyline.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Guy Ferland

Director

Kevin Bacon

Billy Magic

Brad Renfro

Karchy "Chucky" Jonas

Maximilian Schell

Dr. Istvan Jonas

Calista Flockhart

Diney Majeski

Paul Dooley

Father Norton

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Synopsis

A job with a hip disc jockey (Kevin Bacon) shapes a teen's (Brad Renfro) life and that of his poor immigrant father (Maximilian Schell) in 1960s Cleveland.

Director: Guy Ferland
Producer: Fran Rubel Kuzui, Ben Myron
Screenwriter: Joe Eszterhas
Production Co: Relevart Inc., Banner Entertainment, Kuzui Enterprises, Ben Myron Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 12, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $275.2K
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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