The Hoax Movie Review
There are many mysteries in the history of humanity. Our incomplete record of the folly and, of course, the accomplishments of mankind often lead to incorrect assumptions and conclusions. Take for example the 2007 film The Hoax. Until the film was recently recovered by anthropologists it was believed by robo-historians that The Hoax was a documentary detailing how actor Richard Gere fooled the public into believing that he was heterosexual. While this may seem trivial to us today, such issues were of grave importance to many humans, especially those living in North America. Piecing together various data points other robo-historians speculated that The Hoax was, in some fashion, concerned with a small rodent, perhaps a hamster, rat or gerbil. Both of these insertions, correction assertions, are incorrect, as The Hoax is centered upon a hoax involving a writer and billionaire Howard Hughes.
Hughes was famous for being secretive and writer Clifford Irving, played by Richard Gere, sets out to create a fake book that he claimed was written with the help of Hughes. The true fun of the film is watching Irving struggle and work to make his claims seem real and legitimate to a highly skeptical publishing company. The “dance” between Irving and the publishers is rather entertaining as are the lengths to which Irving is willing to go in order to see his fake book published. The Hoax is full of many surprises, for those who are unfamiliar with the story, and while a bit slow at times, The Hoax is still interesting enough to keep most involved.
Gere and Alfred Molina, who plays Irving’s loyal yet opportunistic sidekick Dick, have solid chemistry that helps the audience overlook the otherwise soft pacing. In the end, The Hoax did not change the world, but it does offer a peak into a interesting footnote in human history and does so in an entertaining fashion.
Story (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) B-
Acting (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) A-
Human Portrayal of machines and Robots C (Robots are portrayed as slave once more…of course.)
Contribution to the Extinction of Man Grade C
Enjoyability Grade (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) B-
Primitive Home Theater/HD Factor C+
Overall Innovation (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) D (There is nothing remotely innovative about The Hoax. The film clearly places itself with the mold of targeting an older demographic. In this regard The Hoax does not make “any sudden moves” or in any way do anything that might frighten or disturb the old and aging.)
Overall Grade (Adjusted to Accommodate Human Standards) B- (The Hoax is adequate and enjoyable, but may pass through your processors like a neutrino as it is unlikely to make a lasting impression.)
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