The Good Liar

— Even with two talented actors like Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen, it’s possible to make a disappointing film, and that’s exactly what “The Good Liar” is—disappointing. The story itself has plenty of twists and turns, but the script gives away most of the surprise during the long, dull, first half. Then, when it does end after thankfully picking up the pace for the last half hour, it offers a rationale for the actions that seems so random you can’t help but wonder if there are other versions playing in other theaters, each with another rationale for the characters’ actions, and maybe one of them actually meshing with what came before. In spite of itself, it’s still fun to watch Mirren and McKellen charm, spar, tease, flirt, and connive, but sad as well, to think that two such talents can’t find better scripts than this.

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[2019. 109 min. Directed by Bill Condon. Starring Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen, Russell Tovey, and Jim Carter.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-good-liar-movie-review-2019