The movie, "The Hoax," is a biographical drama film released in 2007, directed by Lasse Hallström, and based on the real-life events of a book publishing con artist named Clifford Irving in the early 1970s. The film showcases the story of Irving's infamous hoax of Howard Hughes autobiography that he never actually met or interviewed the billionaire, and instead, he produced a fake one by himself.
The story begins with the charismatic and ambitious Clifford Irving, played by Richard Gere, who is struggling to achieve success as a writer, and continuously getting rejected by the publishing houses in the United States. He hit on the news that the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes has gone into hiding and has become a recluse. Irving and his supportive, but skeptical friend and researcher Dick Suskind, played by Alfred Molina, sensing an opportunity, plan to dupe the publishing industry and sell a fake biography of Hughes.
The pitch to McGraw-Hill publishers was that Irving had spent months with the reclusive billionaire, including spending time with him at his Bahamian and Acapulco hideaways. He produced a fake diary, audio recordings, and notes of his meetings with Hughes, that McGraw-Hill bought for an advance of a $1 million, the largest ever paid for a book of its kind. But things start to unravel when Irving, who is fighting with his manuscript, decides to include Hughes' supposed views on news events, which raised suspicions with the publisher. McGraw-Hill presses Irving to ultimately prove his authenticity by getting Howard Hughes to make a public statement. With time running out and the walls closing in, Irving must devise a new plan to keep the scam alive.
Gene Ganssle, Lynne Pyrce, Kathleen Benner, and Brian Bozick also star in the film, portraying Irving's colleagues and family members. Julie Delpy plays Irving's wife, Edith, who is also his frequent collaborator, and Hope Davis plays a skeptical New Yorker magazine researcher, Nina Van Pallandt.
The film is notable for its effective portrayal of the early 1970s US, with accurate set pieces and costumes, which create a fantastic atmosphere for the story. The plotline creates a high-stakes thriller, packed with drama and twists throughout, leaving the audience on edge at all times. Richard Gere's performance as Irving is commendable, and he portrays the character's charm, wit, and ultrasonically-optimistic nature with subtle nuances in his character's behavior.
The film also delves into the psychology of Irving's character, showcasing his relentless desire to succeed at any cost, even if it means throwing honesty and morality out of the window. The portrayal of Irving's relationship with his wife, which was lukewarm at best and often fraught with tension, creates an additional layer to the characterization of Irving's motivations and add to the story's complexity.
All in all, "The Hoax" is a compelling movie that explores the lengths people can go to achieve their ambitions, the consequences of unchecked greed, and how the human desire to be recognized can lead to deception and dishonesty. The film is a significant biographical drama, with powerful performances from the ensemble cast, and showcases the period's climate where controversy and sensation sold. The movie keeps the audience engaged from start to finish, with unexpected twists and turns, making it a must-watch for lovers of true-crime dramas.
The Hoax is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.3.
