Little White Lies: Bitter, Funny, Moving

I don’t know whether to cry because this movie is one of the most magnificently beautiful films I have ever seen, or because it’s been so long since I’ve seen a movie worthy of tears. I don’t know what to say. I was so enraptured by the movie’s beguiling charm (soundtrack, characters, cinematography, storyline…sexy French) that I forgot my sense of criticism, I forgot that I have a life outside of the movie: that their world isn’t mine.

Less than twenty minutes into the movie we are introduced to a gay man’s unrequited love, a dreadful motorcycle accident, and a group of utterly selfish friends, all lost in a profound abyss of lies. And what’s worst, these are the most despicable lies you could tell: the lies you tell yourself. The ones you tell so well, you believe and embrace, for they are the ones that keep your heart beating, that hinder deep breathing and suffocate inconvenient sensation.

The biting irony of Little White Lies remains meticulously hidden under its paradoxical simplicity, for it is the humble oysterman who holds the biggest truth of them all. Throughout the faultlessly composed scenes, bits and pieces of truthfulness come out to provoke our characters and disturb their artificial relationships. A peaceful summer vacation is engulfed by lies lurking in every corner. And what makes it all the more pleasing to watch is the comedic tone that juxtaposes so masterfully against this French drama.

The funniest people in the world are those who aren’t trying to be funny, for there is nothing funnier than life itself: it’s real and that hurts…and that’s funny. The sarcasm stings and makes you want to cry so hard you laugh. This movie presents a real lesson in comedy as it succeeds in exemplifying pitiful life situations as hilarious, but without overdoing it. In my opinion, you really don’t want to show off too much with the one-liners and punch lines, exaggerate too much on comedy, or make it too obvious—this usually downgrades a film from brilliant to corny (unless the filmmaker is British, of course).

Along with the pain and hilarity of this film is some of the best character development I’ve seen in a long time, you are truly engaged from beginning till end. We become privy to our characters’ innermost thoughts, we feel their fears and desires, and we laugh and cry with them. Considering that there are many main characters in this movie and that they all have different issues to overcome and resolve, it is safe to say there was much screenwriting work involved in making this happen. The movie so subtly explores the psychological aspects of our character’s behavior and personality that we are unaware of all the details being given to us. Of course, the excellent cast deserves just as much recognition, especially in a film where the journey is all that matters.

With this movie you really live a journey with these people, you fall in love with them, you feel their pain and in the end, you grow with them. For two hours you are transported into this series of despicable realities, and once it’s over, you leave the theater wanting to be a better person. I highly recommend the experience, it’s an excellent ride!