Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7380 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-03-29
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 86 minutes

Synopsis
In Hal Hartley's first feature film, THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH, Josh (Robert Burke), a criminal who has just been released from prison, returns home to Lindenhurst, Long Island. There he's hired as a mechanic by Vic Hugo (Christopher Cooke), the owner of a local garage. Through a mutual interest in George Washington, Josh falls in love with Vic's daughter, Audry (Adrienne Shelly). However, their romance proves to be difficult due to Audry's possessive ex-boyfriend and the mystery surrounding Josh's past.
THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH effectively establishes Hartley's unique aesthetic, which is darkly humorous, oddly clever, and subtly meditative. Rather than merely hint at their thoughts, the characters in this film (and other Hartley films) tend to speak exactly what they're thinking, openly expressing things often left unsaid. A quirky take on the romantic comedy, this is the debut of a highly original American filmmaker.

Customer Reviews

The Unbelievable Truth
An early film of Hal Hartley, this is less slick in production but much more inventive, fresh and lively than some of his later movies. All of the subtle human observations of directors like Bill Forsyth are present, as is a nice low key attitude of direction and of the acting. Despite a few strangely surreal comedic set pieces, the characters are all just about believable as the population of 'hicksville'. Robert Burke has just the right weight for the part and plays it gently but with conviction. Sadly this movie is not available in the UK on DVD and even DVD copies in NTSC (American) format are becoming quite rare in the US. Let's hope the publishers find out there's a market over here for the work.