Great sets and costumes from the '20s, wonderful tender story about a young Jewish boy in Canada and his old-world Grandpa and more modern parents, and some really good acting--except from the one actor who needed to deliver an awesome performance. Jeff Lynas, the kid playing the central character, David, is so bad he brings down the whole production. He can't seem to offer any emotion at all when he speaks; he's monotonally reading his lines as he delivers them. Just hellaciously, frighteningly bad acting. I gave this a 6 because everything else was so good, particularly the sets and Len Birman's performance as David's pie-in-the-sky up-to-date father, but it'd take an act of God for me to sit through anything else Lynas is in.
14 Reviews
Interesting concept; problems "lie" in the execution
gizmomogwai25 February 2018
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.
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.
Wonderful, tender movie.
ItalianGerry7 December 2001
Warning: Spoilers
LIES MY FATHER TOLD ME is a wonderful tender movie so sensitive and appealing that it almost imperceptibly moves us, and by the end we are moved very deeply. It is impossible to do it justice in a few words except to say that I love it a great deal. It is set in the Montreal of the 1920s in a tenement neighborhood like the ones that exist(ed) around Clark Street. Davey (Jeffrey Lynas) is a 6-year-old boy living with his first-generation Russian-Jewish parents and his maternal grandfather (Yossi Yadin.) The old man is a junk dealer, very religious, with a poet's attitude toward life. The boy worships him and accompanies him on his weekly collection treks through the neighborhood on his wagon pulled by the aging nag Ferdelah. "Rags, clothes, bottles!" the old man chants as he drives. The father is a materialistic inventor of flop products and treats the boy gruffly. The mother (Marilyn Lightstone) is a compassionate person of conflicting loyalties. The son-in-law's dislike for the old man and the neighbors' dislike for the untidy horse provide much of the drama. But the film's real value is the poignancy of the special relation between youth and experience and in the wisdom with which the film observes human foibles. Some of the dialog and situations are earthy, in an East European manner. Not surprising, since Jan Kadar, the director, is Czech and was responsible for the devastating SHOP ON MAIN STREET and ADRIFT. The opening sequence of the wagon being drawn through snow-covered alleys is haunting, and the final scenes of the boy's confrontation with the old man's death reverberate with a shimmering human resonance.
From a child's eyes, the truths we see
elstewart4 August 2000
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.
I saw this movie more than 20 years ago; it's beautiful.
Marko-718 April 1999
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
mossgrymk2 May 2021
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.
A brilliant film of mystery and vision
ibfilmstudies6 January 2007
Some comments have pointed out that this is a movie that takes the child's POV. Well, that's true, but many films have done that and the tale they've told is sad (Ponette) or even harrowing (À ma soeur!). What this film captures is the divine reality that children and some adults are in contact with. It also relates the many other parts of a boy's role in a struggling Jewish Canadian family of the 20's, and does that quite well.
However, the mystery at the heart of life, the divine connection, that's what this film depicts best.
Alas, it's never been released in ANY consumer format! Who do we talk to about this injustice!
However, the mystery at the heart of life, the divine connection, that's what this film depicts best.
Alas, it's never been released in ANY consumer format! Who do we talk to about this injustice!
Sticky Syrup
BNester14 November 2017
Ted Allen wrote a wonderful short story, about 4 pages long, called "Lies My Father Told Me" which was short on plot but very evocative of the Jewish ghetto in Montreal in the 1920s. It reminisced about a young boy who accompanied his grandfather on a horse-drawn cart collecting rags and bottles.
This is the third attempt to fill out the story into a film. Allen wrote the screenplay, which was nominated for an Oscar. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1960 film, which I haven't seen.
Pretty much everything that can go wrong with a film has happened here. The story is melodramatic and predictable. The characters are one-dimensional caricatures rather than human beings. The main character, a young boy, is so tousle-haired and gap-toothed and sweet that you want to kick him. His father is a total loser (or "schlemiel") who keeps thinking up get-rich-quick schemes, and wastes his money on the races. The mother is noble, loving, self-sacrificing, etc. The boy's wise old grandfather (the other main character) has a gruff exterior but a twinkle in his eye. You expect the characters to break into song at any minute. The only believable character in this film is the horse!
The acting is way over-the-top, the actors striking poses like in a silent film, rather than acting like people.
Most of the film takes place in an obvious stage set of Montreal's slum. There are a few nice exterior glimpses of the real Montreal.
The whole thing is sentimental and mawkish and embarrassing.
This is the third attempt to fill out the story into a film. Allen wrote the screenplay, which was nominated for an Oscar. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1960 film, which I haven't seen.
Pretty much everything that can go wrong with a film has happened here. The story is melodramatic and predictable. The characters are one-dimensional caricatures rather than human beings. The main character, a young boy, is so tousle-haired and gap-toothed and sweet that you want to kick him. His father is a total loser (or "schlemiel") who keeps thinking up get-rich-quick schemes, and wastes his money on the races. The mother is noble, loving, self-sacrificing, etc. The boy's wise old grandfather (the other main character) has a gruff exterior but a twinkle in his eye. You expect the characters to break into song at any minute. The only believable character in this film is the horse!
The acting is way over-the-top, the actors striking poses like in a silent film, rather than acting like people.
Most of the film takes place in an obvious stage set of Montreal's slum. There are a few nice exterior glimpses of the real Montreal.
The whole thing is sentimental and mawkish and embarrassing.
I cryed every time I saw it. I have never forgotten it.
a-m-hawes13 January 2004
I will bring tears to your eyes. It reminds me of my own Zaida, whom I love so much. I love the way it portrays the Hebrew way of life in 1920's Montreal. Suberb acting and directing. I want to see it again and again and again.
A timeless gem
proud_luddite17 January 2021
Based on the life of Ted Allan, this film tells the childhood stories of a six-year old Jewish boy living in a poor neighbourhood in 1920s Montreal . David (the boy) has a special bond with his maternal grandfather (who lives with his family) but not so with his parents.
This film is a gem in so many ways. The neighbourhood of the family has a great oddity of characters who would be right at home in a Federico Fellini film with their various bonds and conflicts.
Jeffrey Lynas is perfect as David who carries the weight of the movie. His conversations with a female friend the same age (Cleo Paskal) and with his grandfather (supberbly played by Yossi Yadin) are the best moments.
The story also shows a contrast between the grandfather's basic spiritual values vs. Those of the parents (especially the father) who are materialistic. This makes the film relevant for our current times - or any time for that matter.
Mixing moments both hilarious and moving with nostalgia, viewing this film was a grand experience.- dbamateurcritic
Rating: 9 out of 10
Award-worthy Achievements:
1) Screenplay by Ted Allan
2) Performances of Jeffrey Lynas and Yossi Yadin.
This film is a gem in so many ways. The neighbourhood of the family has a great oddity of characters who would be right at home in a Federico Fellini film with their various bonds and conflicts.
Jeffrey Lynas is perfect as David who carries the weight of the movie. His conversations with a female friend the same age (Cleo Paskal) and with his grandfather (supberbly played by Yossi Yadin) are the best moments.
The story also shows a contrast between the grandfather's basic spiritual values vs. Those of the parents (especially the father) who are materialistic. This makes the film relevant for our current times - or any time for that matter.
Mixing moments both hilarious and moving with nostalgia, viewing this film was a grand experience.- dbamateurcritic
Rating: 9 out of 10
Award-worthy Achievements:
1) Screenplay by Ted Allan
2) Performances of Jeffrey Lynas and Yossi Yadin.
Oi vey - absolute mawkish garbage.
mmandato19 April 2021
An embarrassing mundane script with laughably stock stereotypes and the worst child acting ever. This kid was BAD - like sub grade school play, being fed lines from off-stage bad. Hard pass. Do yourself a favor and go watch The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz if you want a Montréal Jewish redux. Far superior film and source material. Another review said the best actor in this abomination was the horse - I concur.
Rags. Clothes, Bottles and ***1/2 for Lies....
edwagreen12 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Jewish life in a Montreal slum is well depicted in this film.
What a wonderful relationship exists between the grandson and his grandfather. Of course, there is the usual conflict of a parent living with married children. Both Yossi Yadin, the grandfather, and Len Birman, as the father give superb performances as conflicting father and son-in-law, respectively. Naturally, the conflict centers around money, that is, the father-in-law's refusal to finance the son-in-law's clothing business.
Both accuse each other of telling lies to the grandson. We also see the usual jealousy created by the birth of a second child on the oldest child,David, who is also quite good in the movie.
A nostalgic look at Jewish life which really transcends any other group.
Sol Kaplan's title song Rags, Clothes and Bottles is appropriate for the movie.
What a wonderful relationship exists between the grandson and his grandfather. Of course, there is the usual conflict of a parent living with married children. Both Yossi Yadin, the grandfather, and Len Birman, as the father give superb performances as conflicting father and son-in-law, respectively. Naturally, the conflict centers around money, that is, the father-in-law's refusal to finance the son-in-law's clothing business.
Both accuse each other of telling lies to the grandson. We also see the usual jealousy created by the birth of a second child on the oldest child,David, who is also quite good in the movie.
A nostalgic look at Jewish life which really transcends any other group.
Sol Kaplan's title song Rags, Clothes and Bottles is appropriate for the movie.
Lies My Father Told Me - Captures the Past Vividly
krocheav7 June 2020
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.
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.
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