Lasse Hallstrom: The '00s

Chocolat

The Shipping News

An Unfinished Life

Casanova

The Hoax (November 23/07)

Based on a true story, The Hoax follows a struggling writer (Richard Gere's Clifford Irving) as he convinces his publishers that he's been commissioned by Howard Hughes to write his official autobiography - though, of course, Clifford has actually never met the reclusive billionaire. Director Lasse Hallstrom - working from William Wheeler's screenplay - has infused The Hoax with a breezy, light-hearted sensibility that proves impossible to resist, and there's little doubt that Gere's surprisingly loose performance plays a substantial role in cementing this vibe. The actor ably steps into the shoes of a character that's simultaneously charming and sleazy, while there's certainly no denying the effectiveness of the uniformly strong supporting cast (Alfred Molina, as Clifford's long-suffering friend, is an obvious standout). It's only when Wheeler starts to place the emphasis on the personal problems of the various characters - ie Clifford's crumbling relationship with his wife - that the film starts to lose its momentum, with the almost egregiously predictable (and melodramatic) third act only exacerbating this feeling. Yet it's ultimately clear that The Hoax generally marks a refreshing change of pace from Hallstrom's almost oppressively sentimental modus operandi as of late.