“He gave me a prune. Howard Hughes gave me a prune on the beach at Nassau.”
A charismatic writer spins an audacious deception at the highest levels of the publishing world. In "The Hoax," part of our True Lies series, we explore Lasse Hallström's examination of the notorious 1971 literary scandal surrounding Howard Hughes' alleged autobiography, featuring compelling performances by Richard Gere and Alfred Molina.
We dig into how Gere's layered portrayal captures both Irving's magnetic confidence and psychological unraveling, while tracking the fascinating dynamics between the fraudulent author and the publishing industry's willingness to believe his elaborate lies. The film raises provocative questions about institutional complicity and self-deception, with Molina's grounded performance as Irving's research partner providing crucial moral counterweight. The way the film builds Hughes' presence without directly portraying him creates an atmospheric tension that drives the narrative forward.
We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel—when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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