The Best Lie - Movie Review

Image from www.battleroyalwithcheese.com

Whenever you think the world is too dark, a movie like ‘The Good Lie’ comes along to remind you there are still good people left.

The ‘The Good Lie’ was filmed in Kenya, India, and the USA, and released in 2014. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll and Ger Duany. This biographical and dramatic film follows four orphaned child refugees escaped Sudan’s Civil War in 1988, and later journeyed to the USA in 2001 to find a better life. The film shows how a ‘good’ lie was used to save a life. It also constantly reminded you how faith, family, kindness, and guilt shaped these individuals into who they are today. Philippe Falardeau, who directed this work of art, is no stranger to documentaries about immigrants since he also lent his talent to Pâté chinois, a film about Chinese immigrants in Canada.

The film used flashback and narrative techniques at the beginning, helping viewers to understand the children’s journey. Traveling through the desert, it was shown how they fought off a jaguar and drank urine to survive which emphasized how dangerous the desert was. The film’s soundtrack was very touching and appropriate for the scenes shown. The acting by the younger children and their adult counterparts were convincing, especially since it was revealed at the end that the adults were child soldiers. The film, however, glossed over how difficult life in America would be for three black immigrants. There was no racism, and everyone they met showed kindness.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was nice seeing people sacrificing because of the goodness of their heart and trusting in their faith, when it feels like all hope might be lost. Watching these orphans who lost everything get sent to a foreign country not knowing what to expect, still choosing to love and serve their God is very admirable. I do not know how many [persons] would still be this faithful after enduring so much hardship. This is a wonderful film for persons who enjoy “light at the end of the tunnel” success movies, and movies based on faith. This film will surely stay with you long after it ends.