The Hoax
The Hoax

Movie spotlight

The Hoax

1972
Movie
85 min
English

Two scheming ne'er-do-wells find a lost nuclear weapon in the ocean near Los Angeles. They decide to light-heartedly try and blackmail the city by asking for money from each citizen. This arouses the attention of the local authorities.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Metacritic60/100
Google Users70%
Director: Lasse HallströmGenres: Biography, Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

In 1970, Clifford Irving, a struggling writer, concocts an elaborate plan to publish an autobiography of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, based on a series of fabricated interviews. As Irving delves deeper into the deception, he finds himself entangled in a web of lies that threatens to unravel his career and personal life. The story explores themes of ambition, deceit, and the power of storytelling in the face of a sensationalized media landscape.

Critical Reception

The Hoax received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Richard Gere's performance and the film's engaging narrative. While some found the pacing occasionally uneven, many appreciated its sharp portrayal of media manipulation and the dark humor inherent in Irving's audacious scheme. Audience reception was more mixed, with some enjoying the clever premise and others finding it less impactful than anticipated.

What Reviewers Say

  • Richard Gere delivers a compelling performance as the ambitious con man.

  • The film offers an insightful, albeit sometimes slow, look at media sensationalism and the nature of truth.

  • Praised for its clever script and dark comedic undertones.

Google audience: Google users appreciated the film's premise and Richard Gere's acting, with many finding it an entertaining and thought-provoking story. Some viewers felt the film could have been more dynamic and engaging throughout its runtime.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the true story of Clifford Irving's infamous literary hoax, which involved an extensive fake autobiography of Howard Hughes and was one of the biggest scandals in publishing history at the time.

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