Review: Dangerous Lies (2020) - USA
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
In many ways, the Netflix original mysterious crime thriller “Dangerous Lies” was always going to be predictable and as expected. However, there is something intriguing about the premises of two strugglers suddenly getting an unexpected inheritance and how they react towards the whole situation. As Jamie Chung’s character expresses - “it will change people”. Greed is for most part a human characteristic and whether there is a just means for the decision and choice made by the characters remains to be seen. Director Michael Scott and cinematographer Ronald Richard captures the picture with plenty of light, space and mood, but ultimately disguise and glorify a script that by David Golden which is clearly hampered and generic.
Camila Mendes of Netflix hit youth series “Riverdale” fame, brings quality thriller presence to the proceedings. Mendes looks comfortable in the role of someone that resembles a human of sorts when everyone seems to be motivated by greed and money alone. Jessie Usher who was in Netflix reboot of “Shaft”, plays the husband who simply cannot stop spending or taking money when it’s right in front of him. Usher shows how humans tend to be corrupted and how money and greed can consume a mindset. Veteran Elliott Gould is a top actor and remains the most convincing of the cast as the calm and instigator of the whole fiasco. Jamie Chung impresses in a small role as the lawyer informing Mendes of the inheritance and Cam Gigandet proves the be the most cartoony villain of the film.
All in all, “Dangerous Lies” is one of those Friday night after drinks type of movie that requires you to simply ease along at the situation on hand. It does poses the question of greed and usually social class and status, but it never goes deeper than dealing with the situation on hand. For production that looks great, the film ultimately suffers from a hush up ending that intends to wrap loses end rather than enhance the storyline. I guess by the end of the film, with all that just happened, it feels empty and diamonds in the yard simply adds to the frustration.
I rated it 5/10
Streaming on Netflix