Friday, November 13, 2015

MOVIE WEEKEND: THE GOOD LIE

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Today's Reese Witherspoon movie is The Good Lie (2014, Rated PG-13, Available On DVD). To read my review of yesterday's Reese Witherspoon movie, Wild, click HERE.



Based on a true story, not a sort of true story, some of "The Lost Boys of Sudan" walk about as far as Cheryl Strayed in Wild to reach a refugee camp, where 3,600 celebrate their move to the U.S. Some of the Lost Boys are played by actors who were real Lost Boys, which I find quite moving.

Three young men sent to Kansas City find jobs with the help of employment counselor Carrie Davis (Reese Witherspoon), a fictional character. Carrie isn't a white savior or angel who saves the men. She's kind of a mess. The men work hard, rescue themselves, and do everything necessary so a sister can join them.

Though Witherspoon is good in this movie, the actors who play the refugees draw my attention.

The Lost Boys have a lot to learn. Carrie says she'll call when she's going to pick them up, but they don't understand the ringing telephone. They stand at a window as they wait for her to call to them from outside. They experience total culture shock. Moments such as this one provide some comic relief in a movie that portrays the lives of devastated orphans.

The Good Lie is a touching, poignant movie. I can't explain the title. You have to see it to understand it. This film earns The Janie Junebug Seal of Highest Approval.

I would definitely watch this movie with teens, but not younger children.

I watched The Good Lie on a DVD\ that Netflix ever so kindly sent to the mailbox by my front door.

Happy viewing!


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

19 comments:

  1. Also was in my queue and just got moved up. Thanks, Janie!! :)

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  2. I'll have to see this, it sounds good. The story of the lost boys of the Sudan (by the way, as a child of the 80's I can't help but think of the movie The Lost Boys with the Coreys Haim and Feldmen) is so tragic and disturbing. It really is the depths of human nature.

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    1. I'm a child of the '60s and early '70s, so I don't get '80s references most of the time. I was changing diapers. At least they weren't my own.

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  3. It was kind of an unusual role for Reese W., and a good movie. The cultural differences are amazing.

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    1. I was a bit surprised by how little they'd been exposed to.

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  4. This also sounds like a good movie and amazing what we take for granted, they become totally lost like the telephone. Can you imagine when they hear slang?

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    1. If we were dropped into their homeland, we'd fall apart.

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  5. I ordered this!!

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  6. I like Witherspoon and movies based on true stories. I'll have to check it out.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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    1. I learned more about The Lost Boys. I'm glad I watched it.

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  7. I do like Reese Witherspoon. One of my favorite movies with her in it is The Man in the Moon. She's really young in it. She sure has aged well.

    I've been thinking of taking the kids to see the movie Goosebumps in the theater. I just stared getting them into the books.

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    1. I like Reese, too. The Goosebumps books were very popular when my daughter was young. She didn't care for them, but most kids love them.

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  8. I know a real "lost boy" from the Sudan and his struggle (and the struggles that continue to this day) are an eye opener. We are so privileged in this country.

    Nellie gave me a hug from you today - I have her one back for you. Love ya!

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    1. Yes, we are privileged, and I'm happy you have my hug.

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  9. This has got to be a heart-wrenching movie, because the stories of the lost boys always are. Many of them have settled in the Atlanta area, and I really appreciate when the newspaper writes informs us how they're doing. It's amazing how well they've acclimated and found their happy ending, after all they've endured.

    Thanks for the recommendation!

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    1. The movie portrays them as learning quickly and working hard, but having difficulties with their new life. I'm sure the experience was different for all of them, but they had a common ground.

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