Lies My Father Told Me

It's easy to see why people say they hate Canadian movies when you see a film like Lies My Father Told Me. This goes back to the infancy of Canadian cinema, and there's been a huge improvement in Canadian film over the last two decades. It's actually not a bad film; the problem is, Lies My Father Told Me is not for every taste. No Indiana Jones, the family drama about Montreal Jews will turn away most of the audience. And, the audience that stays will notice the flaws and end up divided too.

Lies My Father Told Me starts off promisingly; it looks like an interesting coming-of-age story, though by the end when we realize the climactic battle is over moving a stable, the feeling of dullness sets in. Even before then, the performances are sorely lacking, particularly in the boy who can only shout out excitedly, the father who can't rage right, and the young prostitute ("Kiss my Royal Canadian ***!") The grandfather's song about the Messiah coming is excruciating and feels out of place (By this point of time, we weren't excepting a musical, and the end credit song is nails on a chalkboard as well). For the Montreal Jew story in 1970s cinema, it's no wonder critics preferred The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.

Thoroughly agree with the previous reviewer. Indeed, Jeffrey Lynas' acting was so awful that I was exultant when his dad gave him a whuppin and outraged when Saintly Grandpa stopped it. And when you find yourself out of sympathy with the film's hero and identifying with the antagionist then it's time to pull the plug, which I did shortly thereafter. C minus.

Back in the 1970s, I played this movie at the Main Street Theatre, Flushing NY; which I was managing at the time. It did exceptional business in this predominantly jewish neighborhood, it also did well at other locations in the city. I loved it.

Lies My Father Told Me.... I may have renamed it Stories My Grandfather Told Me, is a wondrous, delightful movie because it has the simple elegance to state exactly the world as seen through a child's eyes. A child's recognition of what counts in life.....and yet in a few hilarious moments, a child's innocence at repeating grownups' sharp criticism in exactly the way it was meant without the social detours meant for adults. But it is the little boy's feeling for his grandfather and a wise grandfather who in his quiet way... just stays and stays with you.

Ted Allen's potent autobiographical memoirs of his childhood and growing up with close ties to his Grandfather - has been lovingly brought to the screen through the diligent efforts of producer Harry Gulkin. Gulkin, along with others who saw the value and potential of this profound relationship worked diligently over years to bring this story to the screen. Jeffrey Lynas, the amazing lad who carries his difficult role as if it's unfolding before the cameras earns his Award nomination fully. It's a credit to the artistry of Award winning Czechoslovakian director Jan Kadar (the shop on Main Street '65) who has infused such identifiable life experience into the already powerful, Oscar nominated script - the viewer can't help but identify with so much of the richly unfolding emotions.

Believable harsh locations and others of a grand natural beauty give the audience a contrast that helps to express the difficulty of living poor, and the longing for something better. Natural performances carry us through all the everyday difficulties of growing up in a close community - highlighting the diverse issues and human challenges that exist with such environments. Once black banned composer Sol Kaplan, creates a sensitive musical soundscape complete with a thoughtful song catching the essence of the story.

There's much to be admired by lovers of quality cinema and especially those with keenly observed memories of growing up in a diverse, multi-generational household. Marvellous character actor Yossi Yadin (Fiddler on the Roof) portrays the lads kindly and 'unorthodox'/orthodox, junk collector Grandfather with a strong warm performance. The intro and final scenes will find a place in your memory forever.