Review: Separate Lies (*** 1/2)

SEPARATE LIES
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes



RATING (0 TO ****): *** 1/2



"No life is perfect, though it may seem to be", James Manning (Tom Wilkinson
in another of his brilliant and understated performances) tells us in
voice-over during the opening to the second scene of SEPARATE LIES. A
high-powered and expensive solicitor, James is a workaholic who spends
needless hours in The City pouring over every comma and colon in every
contract. Although clearly a really nice guy underneath his demanding
demeanor, he has a strict sense of right and wrong, including the proper
serving plates, which makes being his wife a frustrating affair.



And speaking of affairs, James's wife Anne, beautifully played by Emily
Watson, has just started seeing William Bule (Rupert Everett), the
super-suave, debonair and devil-may-care son of a fabulously wealthy father.
The two families share nearby country homes in Buckinghamshire. In a
complicated triangle, Anne loves both of the men in her life, but prefers
William since he demands nothing of her.



Now, back to the first scene. In it, a black Range Rover sideswipes a
bicycle, forcing a cyclist named Joe off of the road. Joe dies later.
Although we don't see who is in the car, William shows up with a scratch on
the side of his black Range Rover soon after this hit-and-run accident.
Maggie (Linda Bassett), Joe's wife, works as a "cleaner" for the Manning
family but years ago used to work for William's father.



This relatively twist-free mystery is not about uncovering the truth but
about hiding it. It is a gripping character study, not a whodunit. The
various characters, for different reasons, develop their own lies and
associated guilt. Only Anne wants them to dig their way out of their misery
by confessing the truth to the police inspector, played by David Harewood in
a performance that calls to mind MOS DEF's fine work in a similar part in
THE WOODSMAN. Actually, all of the acting, right down to that in the
smallest role in SEPARATE LIES, is sublime.



Everything about SEPARATE LIES is deliciously underdone and perfect.
Stanislas Syrewicz's music is hauntingly sad and is perfectly matched by
Tony Pierce-Roberts's lush cinematography, which has every scene appearing
to be lit by a setting autumn sun.



Best of all, however, is the script by OSCAR winner Julian Fellowes (GOSFORD
PARK), which is filled with beautifully insightful lines, which sound like
real dialog and not trite phrases. While sharing a dinner in a packed and
completely silent hotel restaurant with her husband, Anne remarks to him,
"Why do they come to this great hotel if they have nothing to say to each
other?" Well, SEPARATE LIES has a lot to say to its audience, but, if
you're looking for histrionics or big surprises, you'd be better off
choosing another film entirely. However, if you want a great story,
wonderfully acted, this is just the right movie.



SEPARATE LIES runs a fast and mesmerizing 1:25. It is rated R for "language
including some sexual references" and would be acceptable for teenagers.



The film is playing in nationwide release now in the United States. In the
Silicon Valley, it is showing at the Century theaters.



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