With the most ecclectic cast in recent memory, A Little White Lie comes out of the gate poised to crash and burn or be a pleasant surprise. It’s nice when it’s the latter, and this is.
Synopsis:
Shriver (Michael Shannon), a down-on-his-luck handyman who has never read a book in his life, is mistaken for a famous writer that has been in hiding for over 20 years. With nothing to lose, he accepts an invitation to attend a college literary festival and finds himself surrounded by adoring fans and an English professor (Kate Hudson) who captures his heart. Shriver must do whatever it takes for his shot at love in this fish-out-of-water comedy.
Yes, it’s the old fish out of water set up, but there are affects that make this easy-to-digest
Rom (ish)-Com (ish) flick a pleasing enough little ride into a town where Don Johnson plays a professor, along with Kate Hudson. To have them cast with the wonderfully weird Michael Shannon seems like an invitation for disaster, instead, the odd mixture of types and personalities keeps us watching.
Shriver is kind of like a Salinger – wrote a masterpiece and disappeared. The excitable Hudson somehow tracks him down, and when he accepts the offer to spend a weekend at a conference, things turn into a mystery. Is he an imposter or did this guy really write the words that have been magical, especially to aspiring authors? We will find out.
It’s a good premise, an amiable cast, and a satisfying conclusion. The kind of online rental that I enjoy when the mood is right. And light.