The best movies out there are usually documentaries. I'm always going to be much interested in reality than in computer-graphic fiction. As long as it's not overly political in scope and with a major axe to grind (Yes, I'm thinking of you, Al Gore), I will see most any documentary.
And if the subject matter is one that provokes memories from my childhood, well, that's even better. Such is the case with "An Honest Liar," a thoughtfully-crafted story about famed magician the Amazing Randi.
Okay, I remember him. Back when I was a kid, he was always on one of the talk shows. Doing magic tricks. Getting out of sailor knots. Wiggling his way out of a locked trunk. An escape artist who was always astounding the likes of Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, and Mike Douglas.
I probably didn't think twice about the guy since I was in the second grade. But, apparently, he's been in the news ever since. And has quite the story that I never knew about.
Now in his late 80s and bent over like a crooked cane, Randi toddles around Fort Lauderdale with his longtime (now married to) boyfriend. His main focus all these years has been to defend the work of magicians. Especially against self-proclaimed psychics who claim to be something more but are basically...magicians.
Randi has been on a crusade against these charlatans since the 70s. I missed it all, but it's all recounted here marvelously. His battles to expose faith healing evangelist Peter Popoff, whose supposed connection to God is nothing more than an electronic surveillance device. Meanwhile, this knucklehead, despite being completely debunked by Randi, is still on the shopping channels selling vials of "miracle" water.
Then there's that other psychic target for Randi, the uber-bozo Uri Geller. You remember that idiot? The guy who claimed he could bend spoons with his mind. Uh-huh. Totally exposed by Randi back in the 70s and once again on the big screen in 2015.
But, what starts off has a terrific linear look at Randi's life takes an astonishing turn in the last third of the film. Indeed, at my screening, we got to meet one of the movie's directors, Tyler Meesom. He confirmed that even the filmmakers didn't see the twist that was coming. To tell you it here would be to deter you from seeing "An Honest Liar." I certainly don't want to ruin that magic trick. Suffice it to say the audience was completely agape at the turn of events.
This is another entry into what I think is a golden age for documentaries in this country. You should go seek out "An Honest Liar" before it...well...disappears.
LEN'S RATING: Three stars.
Dinner last night: Bacon wrapped Dodger Dog at the game.
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