L.I.E. (Long Island Expressway) is a realistic portrayal of wayward, disaffected youth on Long Island NY and the one boy in the midst of them that only needs a guiding influence in his life. Howie (Paul Franklin Dano) has lost his mother (offscreen). His Dad has already got a new bimbo in the house, and has questionable work ethics that have the FBI watching him like a hawk. Meanwhile, Howie goes neglected, so he has befriended several J.D.s in the neighborhood, including the tattooed young hustler Gary (Billy Kay). If you enjoyed (or even not so enjoyed but were impressed with) films like THIRTEEN, KIDS, and BULLY, you will find L.I.E. a riveting, compelling story of children who have fallen through the cracks. The Big John character (Brian Cox) is not meant to be viewed as a hero. He is a pedophile, simple and plain. He does one "good" deed, but if the story had ended differently, it would have remained to be seen whether Big John's actions were truly honorable. So he is no hero. Lots of bad people do good things every day. This isn't a movie that makes judgments and makes decisions for the viewer.
Review of L.I.E.
L.I.E.
(2001)
View it without prejudice and be prepared to be disturbed, moved, shocked...etc.
9 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers