Separate Lies (2005)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Julian Fellowes

Writers:

Nigel Balchin (novel)
Julian Fellowes (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 November 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

A couple's marriage is complicated by the introduction of a third party.

Plot Keywords:

Solicitor | Love Triangle | Secretary | Road Accident | Funeral

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Tom Wilkinson	...	James Manning
Emily Watson	...	Anne Manning
Hermione Norris	...	Priscilla
John Warnaby	...	Simon
Rupert Everett	...	Bill Bule
Richenda Carey	...	Sarah Tufnell
Linda Bassett	...	Maggie
Christine Lohr	...	Nurse
Alice O'Connell	...	Maggie's Daughter
John Neville	...	Lord Rawston
Peregrine Kitchener-Fellowes	...	Bill's Son Charles
Henry Drake	...	Bill's Son Freddy
David Harewood	...	Inspector Marshall
Sabine Tourtellier	...	Receptionist
Philip Rham	...	French Lawyer

Also Known As:

A Way Through the Woods (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including some sexual references.

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:12 (DVD rating) | UK:15 (original rating) | Singapore:NC-16 | Brazil:14 | Germany:12 | Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-14 (cable rating) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Chicheley Hall, Chicheley, Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Celador Films

Movie Connections:

References "The Jerry Springer Show" (1991)

Film to see over and over...

Well, what's wrong with the title "Separate Lies" (accused elsewhere of not being "exciting"). It's cunning, subtle and a bit poetic. (Of course there's a Phil Collins song and a James Belushi film called "Separate Lives", which are alluded to here.)

But the real point is the ethical dilemmas of telling lies at different levels that the film probes. OK, it's not an "in-your-face" hilarious title, but then it's not an in-your-face hilarious film. Please give British films like this a chance. They do try to make people think about important things, as here: how far do you go to protect your life (even if it is a bit rotten) against unexpected disaster. Maybe you tell lies. Maybe you ignore your loved ones' lies. That can wear a lot of people out.

American movies on this theme are abundant, but they usually go much further by involving the use of firearms, which are not a part of everyday life here in Europe.

Maybe we're not so "exciting" over here, but we don't expect slogan-like film titles for films that are not aimed at a massive public.