The Hoax (DVD)

Director Lasse Hallstrom has made a riveting, suspenseful, even humorous, film from an excellent script by William Wheeler who drew much from Irving’s book

Richard Gere, Alfred Molina, Marcia Gay Harden, Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Eli Wallach, Julie Delpy

Having lived in the 70’s I can remember the furor over the release of Clifford Irving’s book on Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire whose strange life was well dramatized in Martin Scorsese’s 2004 film “The Aviator”. Most of the focus, however, was not on the fact that the book was a complete fabrication, but that Hughes actually spoke to the press at all, even if just by telephone to disclaim any connection with the book or Irving.

“The Hoax” explains how the whole charade took place, ending with that historic phone call. We learn how Irving, played by Richard Gere, completely deceives prominent leaders of the publishing world. Director Lasse Hallstrom has made a riveting, suspenseful, even humorous, film from an excellent script by William Wheeler who drew much from Irving’s book. Gere gives one of the best performances of his career, portraying Irving as a charming friend and husband whose ego drives him to deceive everyone around him. Irving’s accomplice in the creation of Hughes’ autobiography is author Dick Susskind (Alfred Molina) who is fabulously awkward at committing the crime. Together they steal military documents, illegally copy books from the Library of Congress and even swindle ex-Hughes associate Noah Dietrich (Eli Wallach) out of his personal memoirs. (Wallach’s performance is short, but memorable.)

Irving, naively believing Hughes will never come out of hiding to refute the book, is continuously challenged by his publisher, McGraw-Hill, and by Life magazine, who plans to print excerpts. But Irving miraculously passes every test and the book is eventually published. Things begin to unravel, however, when Irving’s wife (Marcia Gay Harden) attempts to deposit a one million dollar check made out to Hughes. The more the lies grow, the more the lines blur between what is real and what is not—even for Irving himself.

Extras include two audio commentaries from Director Hallstrom and Writer Wheeler and Producers Leslie Holleran and Josh Maurer, respectively; a piece on 60 Minutes’ Mike Wallace (who was duped by Irving); A Making-of; and some deleted/extended scenes.

Rating :
Reviewer : Tim Basham