An Honest Liar

2015 • 92 minutes

About this movie

AN HONEST LIAR is a feature documentary about the world-famous magician, escape artist, and world-renowned enemy of deception, James ‘The Amazing’ Randi. The film brings to life Randi’s intricate investigations that publicly exposed psychics, faith healers, and con-artists with quasi-religious fervor. A master deceiver who came out of the closet at the age of 81, Randi created fictional characters, fake psychics, and even turned his partner of 25 years, the artist Jose Alvarez, into a sham guru named Carlos. But when a shocking revelation in Randi’s personal life is discovered, it isn’t clear whether Randi is still the deceiver – or the deceived.

Ratings and reviews

A gripping documentary that engages the brain and heart in a way very few films do. Emotional in every sense of the word, the tale of James Randi is one of mystique and is honored properly in film. An all star cast ensure the audience really understands what the film is trying to convey while not taking away from the right to self think and dictate. However necessary, the underlying political tone of gay rights may discomfort some. Fortunately there is still enough entertainment within An Honest Liar.

Happiness & Frustration. An Honest Liar elicits a strange combination of feelings. Makes you happy that people like James Randi exist. People who devote their lives to the pursuit of spreading the knowledge of skepticism and the scientific method. And *incredibly* frustrated that there are people who in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, remain adamant in their irrational and dangerous believes. Not just that, who continue to support the charlatans who blatantly lie to them and endanger their health.

A rare insight into a rare man. Gives a great look into the life of a man who mastered skills of deception for entertainment, and was thrust into the moral choices and the exploitation of believers for his "gift". Fortunately for us all, Randi's morality led him to dedicate his life exposing those who exploit and harm for profit. A must-watch.