Watch L.I.E.

L.I.E. is a dramatic film from 2001 directed by Michael Cuesta. It stars Brian Cox, Paul Dano, and Bruce Altman, among others. The movie is set in Long Island, New York, hence the title L.I.E. The central character of the story is 15-year-old Howie Blitzer (played by Paul Dano), who is dealing with various issues, including a strained relationship with his mother, a recent break-up with his girlfriend, and a growing sense of disillusionment with the world around him.

One day, while riding his bike, Howie is involved in a near-fatal accident that sends him flying through the air and into the path of a speeding car. Fortunately, he survives the crash with only minor injuries, but the incident sets off a chain of events that will change his life forever.

Following the accident, Howie becomes involved with a shady character named Big John (played by Brian Cox), a middle-aged man who is involved in a number of illegal activities, including robbery and car theft. Big John takes Howie under his wing, showing him the ropes and teaching him how to be tough and streetwise.

At the same time, Howie also becomes involved with a group of disaffected teenagers who hang out at a local convenience store. Led by a hostile and unpredictable boy named Gary (played by Billy Kay), the group engages in a series of petty crimes and acts of vandalism, including stealing from local stores and setting fire to abandoned buildings.

As Howie becomes more and more involved with Big John and his criminal activities, he begins to develop a complex relationship with the older man that is both paternal and sexually charged. Meanwhile, his relationship with his mother (played by Linda Emond) continues to deteriorate, as she struggles to cope with her own demons and a never-ending series of bad decisions.

Throughout the movie, there are also various subplots and character arcs that touch on themes of identity, sexuality, family, and the search for meaning in a world that seems increasingly empty and meaningless.

The performances in L.I.E. are uniformly strong, with Brian Cox delivering a particularly compelling portrayal of a man who is at once charismatic and menacing, vulnerable and dangerous. Paul Dano is similarly impressive as Howie, conveying a sense of vulnerability and confusion that is believable and heartfelt.

Overall, L.I.E. is a dark and complex movie that explores some difficult themes and raises important questions about identity, morality, and the nature of human relationships. While it is not always an easy watch, it is a worthwhile one, offering a powerful glimpse into the lives of characters who are struggling to find their place in a world that seems intent on destroying them.

L.I.E. is a 2001 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 73.