Stephen Fry’s best-selling novel is coming to the big screen, and needs investment
In partnership with A to Z Films.
By Steve Brown
Long before he became one of Britain’s national treasures, Stephen Fry wrote the brilliant semi-autobiographical novel of first homosexual love called The Liar.
After a long gestation period the film is gearing up for production. “One-to-watch” actor Asa Butterfield (Sex Education & Hugo) plays the main role of Adrian Healey, a gay schoolboy who develops an obsessive crush on a classmate.
Later (or is he lying?) he becomes a street prostitute and then, under the tutelage of his supremely arch and worldly mentor at Cambridge (Tom Wilkinson, The Full Monty), becomes involved in an international espionage caper, which turns out to be not at all what it seems.
Stephen’s excellent novel has at its heart an achingly romantic gay relationship. Dean-Charles Chapman (1917 & Game of Thrones) will co-star as love interest Cartwright.
The rest of the cast is rounded out by Rupert Everett (The Happy Prince), icon David Walliams (Little Britain), Hugh Bonneville (Paddington, Downton Abbey), Warwick Davis (Star Wars), Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones) and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones).
Quite an impressive line up.
Director Tony Hagger who was the originator of 2010’s highly-entertaining Pineapple Dance Studios says: “The Liar is a director’s dream – it’s a wonderfully imaginative story about learning to accept who you are in life.
“I see it as a potential classic: a fun, intelligent and outrageously nutty comedy that tells the truth about lies and asks big questions about artifice and authenticity in society and human behaviour, as well as being a heart-breakingly true account of the madness of being young and in love.
You may need to put a bit more thought into it than your average movie, but that pays off and it will keep you guessing throughout”.
Let’s hope the film comes out soon. It sounds fascinating.
The production team are welcoming equity investment from suitable investors this month, with shooting due to start in mid-March 2020. If you would like to know or find out if you qualify to invest then click here.