Lie, The (2011) - Synopsis

Based on the acclaimed New Yorker short story by T.C. Boyle, THE LIE is a candid, yet charming look at how a seemingly harmless and momentary lapse of judgment can lead to life-altering calamity. Lonnie (HUMPDAY'S Joshua Leonard) and Clover (TEETH'S Jess Weixler) were once young idealists -- destined to change the world, until an unanticipated pregnancy derailed their plans. Instead of making their mark, the pair finds themselves trapped in a bourgeois nightmare, hosting BBQ's and arguing about organic diapers. Clover is in her final year of law school, while Lonnie, stuck in a nine-to-five routine, remains in a daze about the artistic lifestyle they were forced to abandon.

Deciding he needs some time away from his soul-sucking job to renew his stalled aspirations, Lonnie calls in sick and creates a shocking lie to justify his absence. Swept away in a series of misadventures beyond his control, he attempts to close the Pandora's Box, but finds that it is too late. As Lonnie's crudely constructed lie begins to unravel, THE LIE takes us on a journey of self-discovery as it astutely examines what it means to be an adult, and the steps we all take to get there...eventually.

THE LIE is Joshua Leonard's first solo feature after co-directing the documentary, BEAUTIFUL LOSERS- about the DIY movement in the 1990s, which featured Shepard Fairey and Harmony Korine amongst others. The Lie also marks his third trip to Sundance as an actor after THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and HUMPDAY.



T. Coraghessan Boyle is a distinguished professor at the University of Southern California and an award-winning author best known for his novels World's End, The Road To Wellville and his recent biographical novel of Frank Lloyd Wright, The Women.


THE LIE also stars Mark Webber from SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD and features appearances by Jane Adams (HAPPINESS), Kelli Garner (THE AVIATOR), Alia Shawkat (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) and Gerry Bednob (THE 40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN).