The Good Lie (2014)

The Good Lie becomes its own lie when viewed as the overt Cultural Marxist propaganda that this film makes no secret of being. Seeing that "muh egalitarianism" is all the rage for White Dildocrats who wish to signal their moral superiority to the world, it's no surprise that this turd in the punchbowl wasn't billed as a Comedy or a Fantasy. I can only take refuge in the thought that this movie stunk less than the refuse...um, refugees rather...that were hired to act in it. If you are wondering whether that guy you met on match is an utter tool, sit him down with this baseless multicultural fairytale and if he finishes it, that's a positive test result. This movie is a case study in agitprop done poorly.

Having priorities is one thing, not questioning things and taking them for granted something different. And it's not like you're bad if you don't think about things. It's just the way it is. That's why an outside "perspective" sometimes is helpful (and hurtful, depending on the situation and your willingness to empathize for others of course) to re-evaluate things.Why am I writing this here? Because people who're not getting things we have accepted as normal, will question things we're doing. They may seem logical (market wise and financial wise), but will seem incredible crazy to others. But it's not just here to tell that story. It's actually a movie about people trying to get a new/fresh start away from home and the trials and stipulations they have to overcome. Based on real life this will either catch and grip you or might be something you don't want/like to watch. It's definitely done in a great way, with more than solid performances

The Good Lie centers a group of survivors from a civil war in Sudan when they were kids, which they are now called the "Lost Boys of Sudan". When they grew up, they're given a chance to migrate to the United States and take better careers, but having the hard time adapting to a new environment. At this aspect, The Good Lie is a great film; it compellingly portraying their nearly impossible escape for safety and finding a new hope after a number of tragedies. But there's also a side story of an American woman who apparently has gotten an arc for herself as well that feels contrived in comparison. And it gets a little underwhelming along the way. Though it didn't kept the whole film from being at least engaging anyway.The movie doesn't directly establishes its characters that instantly. It all focuses on the journey and there we see their harsh experiences, but at the same time learning brief information of who their they are and what their culture is. It's a quite minimal narrative at this act, it only shows the essential parts of their struggle and whatever keeps them moving on. When they finally grew up, things get even more interesting. Not only trying to cope of what they've been through from the past, but also finding a way to live a new life. And so, they are chosen to move to the United States, but troubles understanding the new culture. It may seem like it's played for laughs at first, but it eventually felt natural and seems interesting as they grew into this new environment.Then the story shifts to another main character, which is an American woman who will guide for their new jobs. Giving her a major characterization isn't actually a bad idea, but her story isn't equally affecting, or even more disappointing, somehow forced in comparison. She is introduced as a person who is often cynical and too burdened by this situation, but then she suddenly found care for them which hardly felt like it earned it for the movie. There's hardly a compelling build up, it's just a mushy deus ex machina to make it seem more pleasant. It does succeed making it look that way, but it's an otherwise less impacting conclusion for the story until we once again focus on the real main characters. The direction is quite simple at delivering its moments; it takes appropriate tones even at its most sentimentality. The actors made their characters feel genuine and brings likability when they can.The Good Lie lets the viewers understand the circumstances of its subjects and then we get to settle with the friendlier but less profound sideline to finish the story. And also to mention, the meaning of the film's title happens to be a shoehorned plot device in the end, and it's not as subtle as it should sound. But the movie still manages to be gripping at the aspect of the Lost Boys of Sudan along the way, because definitely that is the entire point of the story. It's just fascinating to explore their life story; despite of some contrivance eventually involved. But overall, it's all worth seeing.

I caught this good little drama off HBO GO a few nights ago, and it reminded me of a documentary I had seen a few years ago called "God Grew Tired Of Us: The Lost Boys of Sudan". Oscar winner, Reese Witherspoon gets top billing in this story about a group of Sudanese refugees given the chance to resettle in America. They arrive in Kansas City, Missouri, where their encounter with an employment agency counselor (Witherspoon) forever changes all of their lives. Both films pretty much cover the same story and are similar in theme and overall texture. It's powerful how these refugees react to situations here in the USA we take for granted. For instance, one of them is working at a grocery store, and their manager orders them to throw out some food that has expired- nothing of which is wrong with it other than it's past it's legal expiration date.And even though she's good in the role, I can't help wonder if Reese's role was beefed up a little to give the movie a little more box office potential?? She got top billing of course, but her character had 40 minutes of screen time. Well, anyway, good little movie- good performances especially from it's principle leads- Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, and Emmanuel Jal. And I would encourage also checking out "God Grew Tired Of Us" sometime. Corey Stoll also stars.