The Lesser Evil

Critics Consensus

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60%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 5

69%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 73

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Movie Info

In a small Missouri town in the 1970s, four teenage friends get into a fight with some high school bullies, with unexpectedly lethal results. Two decades later, when a lake is dredged and two unidentified bodies are found, the four face discovery. Lumberyard owner Derek (Colm Feore), lawyer George (David Paymer) and policeman Frank (Tony Goldwyn) want to keep their secret buried for good -- while Ivan (Arliss Howard), now a Roman Catholic priest, argues that they should finally come clean.

Cast & Crew

Colm Feore
Derek Eastman
Tony Goldwyn
Frank O'Brian
Arliss Howard
Ivan Williams
David Paymer
George
Steven Petrarca
Young Frank
Jonathan Scarfe
Young Derek
Adam Scott
Young George
Marc Worden
Young Ivan
Jack Kehler
Detective Hardaway
Richard Riehle
Detective Smitts
Daniel Helberg
Producer
David Mackay
Producer
Yoram Pelman
Executive Producer
David Mackay
Director
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Critic Reviews for The Lesser Evil

All Critics (5) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (2)

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for The Lesser Evil

  • May 01, 2009
    Apparently not a well-known movie. I happened upon this little gem on IFC the other day. It's a played out story of friends reuniting years later after a tragedy in their early days, except this was really well-done and interesting with a twist. The flashback story unfolds dramatically throughout the movie, as the tension and story build in current time. The twist was unpredictable, at least to me, and the back/forth in time was done without feeling chaotic and leading to confusion. Great acting by both sets of actors playing the younger and older roles provide the icing on the cake.
    nefnie l Super Reviewer
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