THE HOAX IS MORE THAN A SIMPLE LIEBased on actual events, Clifford Irving (Richard Gere) is a writer, who has not reached the level of celebrity he had hoped for with his previous publications, so in the 'one-thing-turns-into-another' vein, he has the big shots at McGraw-Hill wrapped around his finger when he dangles the exclusive autobiography of Howard Hughes for them, as of course, told only to him. His partner in crime, Dick Suskind (Alfred Molina) began researching the book only to later be more of a victim of the lie than a conspirator. Add in large sums of money, Irving's wife's involvement (played by the lovely Marcia Gay Harden), a Swiss bank account, a mistress and growing suspicion; the close-calls keep getting closer and the stress and tension send both men in a downward spiral. It is only Irving that has the confidence that the scheme will work. The only thing they had in their favor was the fact that Hughes had become quite reclusive, had a strong dislike for the press and his behavior grew more bizarre and abnormal. Irving banked on that reputation and it got him far enough. No great reveal that Hughes finally did concede to a phone conference to dismiss the validity of the book. It is an interesting story although Irving claims his character in the film was not accurate. Richard Gere does a fantastic job of not being Richard Gere. For the first time, as my memory serves me, he is not portraying someone powerful, smart, charismatic or charming. He has become this tired, worn out writer who is insecure and behaves as a real human man (in this fantastic story) would.
Rating: Interesting story, cast full of great actors, entertaining.
