The Hoax (April 6th)

This modern film depicts the actual actions of Clifford Irving as a man versus himself comical drama set in the 1970s. Irving’s dream of being rich and famous represents the new American Dream and how it fails to make one happy. We see a man clouded by his desires and unable to tell the distinction between truth and fiction. He fabricates so much so often that he begins to see events and people that are not there. We get to know more about Cliff than any of the other characters in the film because we can hear his thoughts and see how he acts alone. The director makes the viewers feel like we personally know Clifford Irving.
We see a flawed man who begins to see his lies as true events which demonstrate man’s weakness when he loses control of himself. Irving has himself on a pedestal with power over other people like the President, but the power he lost friends and family over only destroyed him in the end. Striving for the American dream of fame and glory, Irving loses sight of the dream he was already living with a wife who loves him and a best friend who would do anything for him. This portrays how modern society has lost sight of the original American Dream with superficial dream of power.
At first, the film is more comical and light, but as Irving continues deeper into the lies, the film becomes more depressing and serious. The title of the film represents how Irving viewed his scheme as a game he could win, and he had fun until reality set in. The more man lifts himself up, the harder he falls from being only human.