Pack of Lies

Attracted by Burstyn and Garr, both of whom are actresses I usually enjoy watching, I saw this film recently on the Hallmark channel. I found it stilted and awkwardly old-fashioned, with an improbable plot.

It is the 1960s, and an English woman (Burstyn)is coerced by a mysterious government agent (Bates)into assisting him to spy on her neighbour and friend (Garr), who is suspected of having involvement with a Soviet spy ring. Mild tension and inevitable histrionics ensue, before a rather melodramatic and not entirely believable ending (most particularly the awkward voice over in the final frame).

The worst thing about the film is the variance of Burstyn's English accent, which comes and goes throughout the film and is discarded entirely in her final scenes. Why didn't they just use an English actress?

Garr, as usual, is fine, and this was obviously one of Bates' "rent paying" parts.

Not very memorable or believable.