The Good Lie (2014)
Storyline
A young refugee of the Sudanese Civil War who wins a lottery for relocation to the United States with three other lost boys. Encountering the modern world for the first time, they develop an unlikely friendship with a brash American woman assigned to help them, but the young man struggles to adjust to this new life and his feelings of guilt about the brother he left behind.
Directors
Cast
Corey Stoll, Afemo Omilami, Mike Pniewski, Sharon Conley, Reese Witherspoon, Kenny Alfonso, Michael H. Cole, Ger Duany, Keith Woulard, Abena Ayivor, Thad Luckinbill, Maria Howell, Jimi Kocina, Sarah Baker, Cara Mantella, Kimberly Banta, Victor McCay, Arnold Oceng, Joshua Mikel, Sope Aluko, Clifton Guterman, Parisa Johnston, Emmanuel Jal, Kuoth Wiel, Femi Oguns, Lindsey Garrett, Peterdeng Mongok, Okwar Jale, Thon Kueth, Deng Ajuet, Keji Jale, David Madingi, Kon Akoue Auok, Sibusisu Moyo, Antoine Wonder Kalambay, Elikana Jale, Brian Kurlander, Vince Pisani, Travis Smith, Raj Kala, Heather Lyda, Jacob Kuol Alier, Berglind Jonsdottir, Dhan Kueth, Israel Makoe, John Prendergast, Tiffany Jones, Nathaniel Ramabulana, Lavine Dimo, Julia Ayiol, Suehyla El-Attar, Levi Burdick, Lele Ledwaba, Mari Malek, Flora Peter Deng
Trailer
Reviews
88
The heart of the film derives from the fact that the more they all get to know each other, the more they all mature and their differences blend. The title comes from a lesson in Huckleberry Finn—that a lie is good if it helps others, the way Huck lied to save Jim from the slave traders.
80
The Good Lie is a touching, generous-hearted movie, sensitively directed by Philippe Falardeau (Monsieur Lazhar) working with a smart, sly, long-gestated script by Margaret Nagle (Boardwalk Empire).
75
Rambles a bit and telegraphs its ending. But its earnestness in reminding us of this story and just what America represents to the world’s rising tide of refugees, and why, makes it a winner, a valuable history lesson wrapped in a feel-good bow.
75
It's a deeply touching story about survival, perseverance, and hope.
75
The Good Lie may not be anything like Witherspoon’s version of “The Blind Side” (as the ads also imply), but it’s a heart-tugger that’s definitely worth seeing.
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