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IMDbPro

Telling Lies in America

  • 19971997
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
Telling Lies in America (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Banner Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Music
A loner befriends a local celebrity, Billy Magic, but he soon begins to tell lies in order to maintain the friendship and the newfound status.A loner befriends a local celebrity, Billy Magic, but he soon begins to tell lies in order to maintain the friendship and the newfound status.A loner befriends a local celebrity, Billy Magic, but he soon begins to tell lies in order to maintain the friendship and the newfound status.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Guy Ferland
  • Writer
    • Joe Eszterhas
  • Stars
    • Kevin Bacon
    • Brad Renfro
    • Maximilian Schell
Top credits
  • Director
    • Guy Ferland
  • Writer
    • Joe Eszterhas
  • Stars
    • Kevin Bacon
    • Brad Renfro
    • Maximilian Schell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 24Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos2

    Telling Lies in America
    Trailer 0:31
    Telling Lies in America
    Telling Lies In America
    Trailer 0:31
    Telling Lies In America

    Photos137

    Kevin Bacon in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Tom Nagel, John Sloan, and Matt Bunner in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Brad Renfro in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Brad Renfro in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Kevin Bacon and Brad Renfro in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Brad Renfro in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Brad Renfro in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Brad Renfro and Maximilian Schell in Telling Lies in America (1997)
    Brad Renfro and Maximilian Schell in Telling Lies in America (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kevin Bacon
    Kevin Bacon
    • Billy Magicas Billy Magic
    Brad Renfro
    Brad Renfro
    • Karchy 'Chucky' Jonasas Karchy 'Chucky' Jonas
    Maximilian Schell
    Maximilian Schell
    • Dr. Istvan Jonasas Dr. Istvan Jonas
    Calista Flockhart
    Calista Flockhart
    • Diney Majeskias Diney Majeski
    Tony Devon
    Tony Devon
    • Danny Hoganas Danny Hogan
    Paul Dooley
    Paul Dooley
    • Father Nortonas Father Norton
    Jonathan Rhys Meyers
    Jonathan Rhys Meyers
    • Kevin Boyleas Kevin Boyle
    Luke Wilson
    Luke Wilson
    • Henryas Henry
    Damen Fletcher
    • Amos 'Blood Smith'as Amos 'Blood Smith'
    Jerry Swindall
    • Andy 'Croak' Stasas Andy 'Croak' Stas
    K.K. Dodds
    K.K. Dodds
    • Justineas Justine
    James Kisicki
    • Cecil Simmsas Cecil Simms
    J.J. Horna
    • The Blind Kidas The Blind Kid
    Ben Saypol
    • Timmy Morellias Timmy Morelli
    Rohn Thomas
    Rohn Thomas
    • Sgt. Disaprias Sgt. Disapri
    Joe Baka
    • Det. Carpenteras Det. Carpenter
    Tuesday Knight
    Tuesday Knight
    • WHK Receptionistas WHK Receptionist
    Dave Buckel
    • WHK Newscasteras WHK Newscaster
    • Director
      • Guy Ferland
    • Writer
      • Joe Eszterhas
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was one of the first seven films, on which to be foreclosed, by the Screen Actors Guild for non-payment of wages and residuals to SAG members. On July 13, 2004, rights to the film were sold at auction.
    • Goofs
      About two-thirds through the movie, when Karchy picks his girlfriend up at the store after (her) work, they walk down a handicap wheelchair ramp which didn't exist in the 1960's.
    • Quotes

      Billy Magic: Have you done the nasty yet?

      Karchy Jonas: Sure, lots of times.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Devil's Advocate/I Know What You Did Last Summer/Playing God/Telling Lies in America/Eye of God/Year of the Horse (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go
      Performed by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters (as Hank Ballard and The Midnighters)

      Written by Hank Ballard (as Henry Ballard)

      Courtesy of Highland Music

      By Arrangement with Source/Q

    User reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Excellent Script, Excellent Cast
    Yes, I live in Northeast Ohio, but that's not the only reason I truly enjoyed this movie. The daughter of an acquaintance, 'Giggly Girl' Angelique Osborne, had a tiny part and I originally watched to see her. Now every time Bravo plays this movie on IFC Fridays, the phone comes off the hook, the popcorn is popped and I get good and comfy. The sentiment portrayed here, although it's roughly 15 years before my time, pulls me right in. The struggles of wanting to feel important (or at least to fit in), where to draw the lines of loyalty and figuring out what makes any of us happy are timeless. It never occurs to me that I'm watching Kevin Bacon or Brad Renfro. They become their characters. (Kevin Bacon proves he has a range most people don't realize and Brad Renfro, although beautiful to look at, also has that un-namable quality that makes you feel you're watching a future legend. Let's pray he finds his way safely.) Just as you never think about the set or the camera during a genuinely good movie, all the components of Telling Lies in America flow beautifully.

    After reading some of the other reviews here, it seems some people can't be entertained with a good story and good acting. Some movies don't have to resort to the typical Hollywood recipe in order to leave a positive imprint in your mind. Too bad you have such a short attention span.
    helpful•19
    4
    • bethe_k
    • May 6, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 15, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Magic Man
    • Filming locations
      • The West Side Market, Ohio City, Ohio, USA
    • Production companies
      • Banner Entertainment
      • Ben Myron Productions
      • Kuzui Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $318,809
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $11,470
      • Oct 19, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $318,809
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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