The Good Liar Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An elderly con man tries to steal from a sweet old lady, but it turns out she’s actually seeking revenge for something that happened 60 years ago in Nazi Germany, which makes their awkward dates a *lot* more interesting.

🍿 The Good Liar: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Roy and Betty Meet

Roy Courtnay, a seasoned con artist, meets Betty McLeish, a wealthy widow, through an online dating site. Roy plans to swindle Betty out of her fortune. They begin dating, and Roy feigns a knee injury to gain her sympathy and move into her home.

The Investment Scam

Simultaneously, Roy and his partner Vincent are running an investment scam involving fake Russian investors. Roy involves Betty in his plans, encouraging her to open a joint offshore account, with the intention of stealing all her money. This scam takes a dark turn when Roy kills an associate involved in the fraud to protect his scheme.

Suspicion and Revelation in Berlin

Betty’s grandson Stephen is suspicious of Roy and investigates his past. During a trip to Berlin, Stephen reveals that Roy may not be who he claims to be. Roy confesses to being Hans Taub, a German translator who stole the identity of a British officer after the war.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roy Courtnay (Ian McKellen): A seasoned con artist who targets wealthy widow Betty McLeish, only to find himself caught in a web of deceit and revenge.
• Betty McLeish (Helen Mirren): A seemingly naive widow who becomes the target of Roy’s con, but harbors a hidden past and a plan of her own.
• Stephen (Russell Tovey): Betty’s suspicious grandson who investigates Roy’s background, uncovering secrets that threaten the con.
• Vincent (Jim Carter): Roy’s long-time business partner who assists in his cons but begins to question the morality of targeting Betty.
• Hans Taub (1948) (Laurie Davidson): The younger version of Roy Courtnay, revealing his hidden identity and connection to Betty’s past.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roy Courtnay: “People are greedy, they want something for nothing.” – Roy explains his philosophy on why his con schemes work, highlighting the inherent greed in people.
• Betty McLeish: “I know who you are, Hans Taub.” – Betty reveals her true identity and knowledge of Roy’s past, turning the tables on him.
• Betty McLeish: “Every time you lie, I’ll take another 50,000.” – Betty taunts Roy, demonstrating her complete control over the situation and his dwindling fortune.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,156,058
• Worldwide Gross: $33,856,058

💥 The Good Liar Reviews

Personal Review

I was really intrigued by the premise of this film. Seeing Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen together on screen was fantastic, they have such great chemistry. The plot twists kept me guessing, even though some felt a bit out of left field. The flashback scenes to WWII Germany were quite impactful and added a layer of depth to the story. Overall, I enjoyed the movie, even with its occasional flaws.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of thrillers with plot twists”
  • “Viewers interested in movies with senior citizen leads”
  • “Those who enjoy films starring Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• TheWrap: “Mirren and McKellen are magnetic, elevating the material with their combined charisma. The film, while predictable at times, delivers a satisfyingly twisted climax.
• The Guardian: “A solid thriller with a clever premise, buoyed by the stellar performances of its leads. It is enjoyable to watch them play off each other.

Audience Reactions

The plot twists made it a worthwhile watch.: Viewers agreed the cast elevated the story. However, many feel the twist felt too out of nowhere.

Overall Consensus: A suspenseful thriller with strong performances but with polarizing opinions on the plot twist in the end.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Helen Mirren, despite their long careers, had never worked together in a film before ‘The Good Liar’.”
• “The film features flashbacks to post-World War II Berlin, and production designers took great care to recreate the look and feel of the city during that period.”
• “Director Bill Condon previously worked with Ian McKellen on ‘Gods and Monsters’, which earned McKellen an Oscar nomination.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Good Liar?

The Good Liar is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability. You can also find it on DVD and Blu-ray through major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Good Liar, you might like these similar films:

• Mr. Holmes (2015): Features Ian McKellen as an aging Sherlock Holmes dealing with the regrets of his past, similar to the themes of deception and regret in ‘The Good Liar’.
• Woman in Gold (2015): Stars Helen Mirren in a historical drama about reclaiming family possessions stolen during World War II, mirroring the themes of seeking justice for past wrongs.
• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999): A suspenseful thriller about identity theft and deception, similar to Roy Courtnay’s con artist persona.

🛒 The Good Liar Related Products

• The Good Liar [Blu-ray]: Own the thrilling movie on Blu-ray for a high-quality viewing experience with exclusive bonus features.
• Killing Eve: Series 1-4 [DVD]: A boxset featuring Killing Eve, the series starring lead actress, Helen Mirren, in The Good Liar.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Sherlock – Ian Mckellan as Sherlock: A bobblehead based on Sherlock Holmes character portrayed by actor Ian Mckellen.
• The Lies We Tell: A Gripping Psychological Thriller: Dive into another world of lies, deceit, and hidden agendas with this captivating novel.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Good Liar features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “99 Bottles” – performed by Garrett Barnes, Isaac Lucas, Jaron Lamot, Jason Rabinowitz, Kurt Zimmer and Cheapshot

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Helen Mirren & Ian McKellen: Hamlet And Juliet Are The Roles That Got Away

Ever wondered what iconic roles Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen *wish* they could play? They get super candid about it in this interview, and it’s fascinating to hear their perspectives on Shakespeare!

✨ Rate