Yesterday Was a Lie

2009

Yesterday Was a Lie

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Yesterday Was a Lie Photos

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Movie Info

Writer/director James Kerwin infuses Raymond Chandler-influenced noir with a metaphysical twist by tracing the story of a female detective who's tough enough to take on even Philip Marlowe in this monochromatic mystery designed to challenge the viewer's very perception of reality. Hoyle (Kipleigh Brown) is a hard-drinking detective whose taste for bourbon betrays her razor-sharp sleuthing skills. Set out on the trail of a reclusive genius (John Newton), however, Hoyle soon finds her life becoming increasingly fragmented and surreal. The only people that Hoyle can trust as she begins to uncover a series of mind-bending cosmological secrets are her loyal partner (Mik Scriba) and a scintillating lounge singer (Chase Masterson). But wherever Hoyle goes, she is shadowed by a mysterious figure (Peter Mayhew) whom she is soon destined to meet, and who may just possess the power to bend reality. In a world of black and white, Hoyle is about to take a bizarre journey into the divine gradients of grey invisible to the naked eye.

Rating:

PG (for language , some violent content and smoking)
Genre:

Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance
Directed By:

James Kerwin
Written By:

James Kerwin
In Theaters:

Feb 20, 2009 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Mar 23, 2010
Runtime:

89 minutes
Studio:

Helicon Arts Cooperative

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Cast

Kipleigh Brown
as Hoyle

Chase Masterson
as Singer

John Haymes Newton
as Dudas

Mik Scriba
as Trenchcoat Man

Nathan Mobley
as Lab Assistant

Warren Davis
as Psychiatrist

Robert Siegel
as Radio Interviewer

Jennifer Slimko
as Nurse

Peter Mayhew
as The Dead Man

Megan Henning
as Student

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Critic Reviews for Yesterday Was a Lie

All Critics (6) | Top Critics (2) | DVD (1)

James Kerwin's conceptually ambitious low-budget debut offers stunning black-and-white HD cinematography, a sultry jazz score and a refreshingly high-minded script, but feels hopelessly amateurish in the acting department.

Dec 17, 2009 | Full Review…

Peter Debruge
Variety
Top Critic
Yesterday Was a Lie deals with some heady themes, and Brown strikes some nice notes on her character's frustrated journey, but the film is finally too disjointed and incomprehensible to be enjoyed as much else besides an exercise in style.

Dec 14, 2009 | Full Review…

John Wheeler
L.A. Weekly
Top Critic
The sci-fi noir is a movie of intelligence, imagination and mostly beautiful execution, which is why Yesterday Was a Lie is not quite a success, but far more than a respectable failure.

Jun 23, 2010 | Full Review…

Todd Gilchrist
Syfy Wire
It's a mixture of some very clever, but unguided ideas.

Jun 23, 2010 | Rating: 6/10 | Full Review…

R.L. Shaffer
IGN DVD
This film is highly recommended for those who appreciate a good, dark portrayal of the human psyche. Be warned: it won't hold your hand.

Jun 23, 2010 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

Lara Killian
PopMatters
There is brilliance here that demonstrates the best of what independent filmmakers strive to do.

Dec 3, 2009 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…

Rory L. Aronsky
Film Threat

View All Critic Reviews (6)

Audience Reviews for Yesterday Was a Lie

Apr 27, 2010

If you're a total sucker for noir with a sci-fi twist you'll find just enough interesting about this to sit through most of it. Mostly though it's reminiscent of cut-scenes you would find in late 90's PC adventure games; bad acting pasted on gorgeous landscapes. Except the problem here is that you have to sit through an hour and a half of it...all the while having to remind yourself that it's only rated PG and there aren't going to be any lesbian makeout scenes despite the appearance to the contrary, Trench coats and fedoras for everyone! And I mean literally everyone.

Brett W Super Reviewer