The Liars

(LES MENTEURS) ((FRENCH))

An AFMD release (in France) of a Zadig Films/France 2 Cinema production, in association with Cofimage 7, Studio Images 2 and Canal Plus. (International sales: Lumiere, Paris.) Produced by Elie Chouraqui. Executive producers, Robert Benmussa, Philippe Guez. Directed by Elie Chouraqui. Screenplay, Chouraqui, Antoine Lacomblez.

Zac ... Jean-Hugues Anglade
Daisy ... Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi
Helene ... Lorraine Bracco
Marcus ... Sami Frey
Lucie ... Marion Peterson
Diego ... Christian Charmetant

Abroad romantic tale about two inventive scriptwriters who get together to make love and movies, Elie Chouraqui's "Liars" could safely be renamed "Barton Fink Lite" for its souffle-like pretense to substance. Refreshingly unconcerned with realism, this frequently enjoyable romp full of unlikely highs and preposterous subplots should please die-hard fans of Chouraqui's former boss, Claude Lelouch. Though it got a generally blah reception in competition at Berlin, pic will fare reasonably well at home on the backs of its attractive cast before heading to Eurotube and video outlets.

By going for the big scene every time he sets up a camera, Chouraqui gives up in narrative credibility what he gains in great trailer material and enthusiastic perfs. In making a movie about moviemaking, the helmer lets rip with all the cinematic techniques in his repertoire, jolting the story around stylistic bends to suit the mood of each character. The soundtrack, a sampling of the Polygram catalog (Sarah Crackwell, Paul Rodgers, Charlie Haden), follows these empty gestures gamely, switching from anthem rock to Richard Strauss in the twinkling of a Dolby digit.

Pic tells the story of big-time helmer Zac (Jean-Hugues Anglade), who disappears from the apartment of his toast-of-the-town actress girlfriend (Lorraine Bracco). His faithful producer, Marcus (Sami Frey), finds him eight months later, homeless and wild in a chic Parisian neighborhood.

Zac is put up in a hotel to write another hit film, and is soon joined in his effort by Daisy (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi), his ex's ambitious girl Friday and an aspiring screenwriter. The two play mind games to get to the dramatic secret of Zac's eight-month absence and write a film about his experience.

What follows is Mamet in dotage: Zac fibs his way through several possible variations, all of which we see enacted, before divulging the secret and falling in love with Daisy. In the meantime, Marcus is in big trouble with his bankrollers from the Russian Mafia, and the whole cast and crew are moved to a deserted South African beach to shoot Zac and Daisy's screenplay.

"Liars" enjoys standout perfs by its two principals. Bruni-Tedeschi, a treat to watch in Bertrand Blier's "Mon Homme," combines her odd prettiness with her trademark insecure assertiveness to make Daisy one of the more refreshing screen heroines of the season.

Bracco, at ease in French, has to struggle with a glaringly incoherent role. Her Helene is a prima donna who, midway through the pic, agrees to play second fiddle for reasons that must be supplied somewhere offscreen. Frey, as the likable Marcus, performs admirably in a part that limits him to uttering the name "Zac" as many times as possible.

As a disjointed, music-driven visual cartoon, "Liars" works well, especially in the occasional sultry scenes during which Zac recounts his mysterious experience. Tech credits are uniformly excellent, although technical prowess is overindulged by a gung-ho production ethos that wanted bigger scenes, louder music and several out-of-context helicopter shots of the pic's needless South African setting. Chouraqui has made a lot of sound and fury with "Liars."

Camera (color), Francois Catonne; editor, Jacques Witta; art direction, Nicolas Prier; costume design, Martine Rapin; sound, Francois Musy, William Flageollet; assistant director, Denis Seurat. Reviewed at Club Gaumont theater, Paris, Jan. 17, 1996. (In Berlin Film Festival -- competing.) Running time: 109 MIN.

With: Marc Lavoine, Julie Gayet, Michael Cohen, Marie Guillard, Eric Viellard , Yvon Back, Malcolm Conrath, Anouk Aimee.

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