Lies My Mother Told Me (2005)

How sad is this?

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Laren Sims (Joely Richardson) surrenders to the police and leaves her daughter Haylei (Hayden Panettiere). Ten years ago, they're living with Lauren's parents in North Carolina after her failed marriages. She does 90 days in prison after using stolen credit cards for Christmas gifts. She continues to steal. She runs away with Haylei skipping out on house arrest. They travel the country continuing to con and steal with numerous fake identities. In northern California, Laren gets a job working for attorney Lucas Mackenzie (Colm Feore) and later marries him. Haylei hates the marriage. Laren can't help herself and embezzles money. Lucas finds out and Laren tells him the truth. He grows angry as his business fails and always threatens to call the police. Laren, with the help of new hire Kristin, does something out of desperation.This is a Lifetime movie in its heart. It should try to be more especially with a great actress like Joely Richardson. It should try to be darker but it doesn't. It is a big disappointment. The story has no bite despite some pretty compelling turns. There is a great mother and daughter relationship. The material is done with limited style and no edge.

this is an 'inspired by true events' movie.it's a bleak movie,to be blunt about it.it's about a woman who had done nothing but lie cheat and steal her whole life.as a result her and her young daughter live a life on the run from the law. i found this movie slow and boring for the most part.it doesn't have a happy ending,(at least to me it doesn't)like some movies of this genre have.and it doesn't resolve anything or tie up any loose ends,like i hoped it would.i only kept watching for two reasons.one was the hope that there might be a happy ending.tow was that the acting was pretty decent.so,basically the movie is only worth watching for the performances.as a result,my vote for Lies My Mother Told Me is a 4/10

Well i loved this movie. i should warn you now my spelling is not very good but should be OK. here goes! i saw this movie on cable. i didn't think it would be very good but turns out it was really good. And based on true stories! Very interesting and i think there are messages in there, things people should notice. i wont give it away but you really need to watch this film! This is only 99mins long but is fantastic! i really do believe so. The mother, Laren Sims is a con artist, master of disguise and moves from state to state with her young daughter until the hit Vegas Nevada! She marries a wealthy Atterney and has some problems. the mother just wanted her child to have a good education and not end up like her. and the marriage has some problems like when he gets drunk, and he finds her past and so she decides to well, get rid off him!

the story itself isn't all its cracked up to be. But the fact that its based on actual events gives it power. Joely Richardson carries the movie as a fugitive mother, who along with her young daughter, leaves a trail of warrants across the country. When she settles with a wealthy attorney, her past demons come back with a vengeance.Though its very much a "Lifetime" movie, it has a nice sense of freshness to the genre. There are a few plot twists that seem to never get explained in full, but its a Lifetime Original, so you get that you pay for..If you're in on a Friday night, or you're a fan of Joely, i recommend it.