In plot-terms, the summary says it all: this is a drama of discovery, as Lexie (Joanne Froggatt) discovers to her horror that husband Philip (Ben Chaplin) has been leading a double life by pretending to go away to work and in reality living for half a week with ex-girlfriend Zara (Emilia Fox).
Dominic Savage's production makes considerable use of the close-up, focusing on the female protagonists' eyes and mouths as they try to come to terms with the extreme situation. In contrast Philip seems tongue-tied, almost as if he harbored a childlike desire not to be discovered; and when the truth emerges, he has no way of dealing with it other than to place the responsibility on to the two women.
"The Lie" is a drama focusing on how one man's self-centeredness destroys the lives of those around him. Zara tries to make the best of an impossible situation, but it's clear from the climactic scene (taking place in a park café) that nothing will ever be resolved. Although Lexie doesn't say anything, it's clear from her body language that she will never accept any of the solutions offered to her. Her final act is one of escape as well as defiance; having been manipulated once, she will not run the risk of it happening once more.
Joanne Froggatt doesn't say much, but her expressions convey far more than mere words in this taut drama, filmed in atmospheric gray, washed-out colors.
Dominic Savage's production makes considerable use of the close-up, focusing on the female protagonists' eyes and mouths as they try to come to terms with the extreme situation. In contrast Philip seems tongue-tied, almost as if he harbored a childlike desire not to be discovered; and when the truth emerges, he has no way of dealing with it other than to place the responsibility on to the two women.
"The Lie" is a drama focusing on how one man's self-centeredness destroys the lives of those around him. Zara tries to make the best of an impossible situation, but it's clear from the climactic scene (taking place in a park café) that nothing will ever be resolved. Although Lexie doesn't say anything, it's clear from her body language that she will never accept any of the solutions offered to her. Her final act is one of escape as well as defiance; having been manipulated once, she will not run the risk of it happening once more.
Joanne Froggatt doesn't say much, but her expressions convey far more than mere words in this taut drama, filmed in atmospheric gray, washed-out colors.