Watch The Teller And The Truth

The Teller and the Truth is a 2015 indie film directed by Andrew Shapter. The movie stars Leilani Galvan as the protagonist, Francis, and Russell Gustave Ochoa as her husband John. In the supporting role, Helena Stoddard plays the lead investigator into the story that Francis tells throughout the film. The movie is a tribute to Shapter's aunt, Frances Glessner Lee, who was known for her miniature crime scene dioramas.

The movie takes place in 1974 and has a documentary-like quality. It tells the tale of Francis as she recounts her experience of working at a bank in Texas, where she met and fell for John--a charming but mysterious businessman. Francis and John's relationship unfolds amid the backdrop of significant political and social tensions at the time. Francis, who seems to be an unassuming and impressionable young woman, becomes embroiled in a complicated crime and disappearance case centered at the bank. The Teller and the Truth has a nonlinear structure, and we see multiple threads weave together as Francis describes her emotional journey and her entanglement with the crime.

The film's cinematography and soundtrack are impressive, and they help to create a period-specific and haunting atmosphere. Shots are often framed in primary colors reminiscent of popular films of the 70s, and the soundtrack features an eclectic mix of music that varies from classical to contemporary. The theme song, "The Teller" by Alejandro Escovedo, is especially poignant.

Leilani Galvan gives an outstanding performance as Francis, and the character herself is complicated and multifaceted. As the story unfolds, we see Francis transform from an idealistic and naive young woman into a somewhat more jaded and disillusioned person. Throughout the film, we are made to question Francis's reliability and the veracity of her story. Her work at the bank becomes increasingly complicated as more people are implicated in the mysterious disappearance of several bank employees. The secondary characters in the movie, including John and Helena Stoddard's investigator character, are all well-acted and engaging.

One of the movie's notable aspects is how it layers in themes of feminism and class struggle, beneath a seemingly straightforward mystery. Late in the film, Francis is taken for evaluation by the FBI and subjected to a polygraph test. This signals a shift in the narrative, with Francis's gender, and her social class becoming a focus for the film's investigation. Her account of the events at the bank is met with some suspicion by Stoddard's investigator character, who challenges Francis to be honest about her motivations and intentions. The film's commentary on women's place in society and the biases they face is relevant and timeless, and it is executed with subtlety and nuance.

In conclusion, The Teller and the Truth is a fascinating and beautifully shot film that tells an interesting and engaging story. The movie's nonlinear structure is both a strength, creating a sense of urgency and tension, and a potential weakness as it can be challenging to follow at times. However, the movie's central performance by Galvan anchors the narrative and makes for a powerful, emotional experience. The Teller and the Truth is a nuanced and compelling indie film worth exploring.

The Teller And The Truth is a 2015 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.