Movie Review: Big Fat Liar
A lot of the comedy film "Big Fat Liar" was shot on the Universal Studios backlot where stars Frankie Muniz and Amanda Bynes frolic while hatching a plot against a film producer enemy. Director Shawn Levy says "There was the idea of the backlot as "Oz." I can't tell you how many times I've watched the movie with an audience. When (Frankie and Amanda) turn on the light in that prop room, every single time some kid says 'I wanna live there'." Shawn and crew stocked the prop room with some of their fav movie items. "A lot of this movie was bonsai guerilla filmmaking. We would go there on Saturday. If Scorpion King wasn't shooting, it was 'let's go shoot their set.' We called ourselves 'lot pirates.' We used stuff from E.T., The Grinch. They said 'look at the Grinch, talk about the Grinch but don't touch the Grinch'! He had his own guard."
14-year-old Jason Shepherd (Frankie Muniz) uses elaborate lies to get him out of trouble with bullies, teachers, etc. He gets best buddy Kaylee (Amanda Bynes) to lie for him as well. However, some of his lies finally backfire. When Jason doesn't turn in an English paper, his parents find out and make him do the work or else. Jason quickly creates a story called "Big Fat Liar" and is ready to turn it in but, in a series of bizarre circumstances, it ends up in the hands of passing Hollywood Producer Marty Wolf (Paul Giamatti) who steals it and uses it as the basis for a blockbuster film of the same name!
When Jason's parents don't believe his story and lose all faith in him, he and friend Kaylee head for Hollywood to bust the producer, make him come clean and secure the proof that will clear Jason with his folks.
This film has been compared to the 1980s Matthew Broderick hit "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." There is a resemblance. Frankie Muniz's Jason is a smooth operator all right, scamming parents and teachers with clever lies and, once in tinseltown, conning with the best of them. Frankie, used to playing less confident types like his "Malcolm in the Middle" character, does a valiant job of running the con but he's got a way to go to top Matthew Broderick as Ferris who makes his moves with a suave, flippant air that's more James Bond than high school hookey player. None-the-less, you can't help but root for Frankie and that young Tracey Ullman clone Amanda Bynes, as they manipulate a horridly rude and cruel producer, played hilariously by Paul Giamatti.
Amanda uses her comedy skit expertise, evidenced in Nick's "The Amanda Show," to full potential especially in a scene in which she takes over the desk of an off-beat receptionist.
Supporting characters are fun as well and, since all were once dissed by producer Wolf, happily join Frankie's revenge team with very funny results. The "Six Million Dollar Man" Lee Majors is great as a pissed-off stunt man. A limo driver, a director, a former child actor, a chubby publicist, a ticked off assistant, all fit into a funny and well-orchestrated payback that is a joy to watch unfold. Those of us who work in Hollywood might get an even bigger kick out of some of the "in-jokes" but anyone, anywhere can identify with and root for a kid who wants credit where it's due.
Music is a great fit throughout. When Giamatti is dyed blue....you guessed it.. "I'm Blue" plays in the background. There are upbeat songs by the Baha Men as well.
"Big Fat Liar" isn't rocket science...for that, go see "A Beautiful Mind." If you, friends and family just want to witness a lot of good-natured, seldom gross physical comedy, go watch the adventures of the "Big Fat Liar."
I give "Liar" 4 out of 5 stars for pure zany enjoyment
