Four-Faced Liar, The (DVD Review)
4 Nov, 2010 By: Miko Revereza
Street 11/9/10
Wolfe
Comedy
$24.95 DVD
Not rated.
The Four-Faced Liar is a quirky romantic comedy about the complicated lives of a group of friends in their 20s living in New York City.
Meet Greg and Molly, the clean-cut Ken and Barbie portrayal of a stable relationship. Now meet Trip and Bridget, artsy/grungy New York hipsters with foul mouths. By coincidence and a few drinks, these two groups become acquainted, and consequently Molly and Bridget fall in love. Their dangerous affair is met with criticism and hostility from their friends, and Molly is faced with a life-changing decision.
At times the film comes off as one long sitcom, easily foreseeable what will happen next. The characters’ vastly contrasting archetypes make them seem like cardboard cutouts of their lifestyles. The performances are a bit too self-conscious and precise; when do the actors stop acting and start living? It’s not that the acting is bad, it’s just that it’s difficult to see beyond the fact that they are performing.
The Four-Faced Liar has some rewarding moments, charming locations, set design and cinematography. The cast are all fresh faces: Marja Lewis Ryan, Emily Peck, Todd Kubrak, Daniel Carlisle and Liz Osborn.
Extras include director’s commentary and deleted scenes.