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Cast: Elisabeth Röhm, Sean Patrick Flanery, Eric Roberts
Acting coach Angela Masters (Elisabeth Röhm) becomes rich by giving criminal defendants personality and appearance makeovers so they can win acquittals from gullible juries.
An actor who has a years-long crush on Angela, Gary Langston (Sean Patrick Flanery) - who had a TV series several years ago and has been forgotten by Hollywood, continues to work with her as a coach in Seattle, hoping for his big break. Unable to express his love for her personally, he gives her a puppy, a puppy care book and a $10,000 insurance policy for the little guy. If something happens to Angela, the money will provide for his care.
Life is lush until she overhears a mobster she helped set free plan a heinous crime. When he believes she eavesdropped, he sets out to kill her.
Police and prosecutors aren't enthusiastic about helping her - she's skewed too many "tight" cases for them and has been responsible for too many creeps back out on the street again.
Instead of running away or hiding, she faces the bad guy - who now comes off as a good guy to juries (thanks to her earlier work) - and testifies against him in court. On the witness stand she goes a bit mad trying to convince the jury of what a lowlife he really is - they don't believe her. Her crazy testimony is carried on TV all over the world -- even weather stations -- and makes front-page news everywhere as well.
After a few surprises, Karma, love and justice prevail. Finally.
"The Whole Truth" isn't going to be a film for everyone because it is a very different kind of comedy that only some will get. I am not going to go into details about the story because there is already enough written above about it but I can say that the whole premise of an acting teacher who coaches defendants to transform themselves into the appearance of innocence is highly original and I don't get to say that very often.
The entire cast did a terrific job playing these over the top characters but the two stand-outs here are Elisabeth Rohm as Angela, this is a very different kind of character for here compared to what most are use to seeing her play which I now find strange because his is terrific at comedy and should do more of it. The other highlight comes from Eric Roberts, His take as a foreign mobster is incredible, he is both freaky looking and absolutely hilarious, this is a gem of a performance. I can't end here without mentioning Sean Patrick Flanery and Rick Overton who are both fantastic in the film as well.
In the end I found this to be a unique comedy that delivers on being funny if not zany. There are many hilarious moments in the film and the entire cast is simply amazing. I can't end this review without mentioning Writer/Director, Colleen Patrick, I am surprised we have not heard from her since making this film back in 2009 but I hope it isn't the last film she makes. The movie business needs talented filmmakers like Colleen who bring original ideas to the table. Like I said before, "The Whole Truth" isn't a film for everyone but if you like this sort of off the wall comedy or are just looking for something a bit different to watch then I highly recommend check in it out. You can order the DVD HERE.
Released by Green Apple Entertainment
*** 1/2 Out Of *****