The defence The Auteur Devotee
“Form is the argument.”
Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.
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The Wizard of Lies
Crime · Drama · TV Movie · 2017
A look behind the scenes at Bernie Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme, how it was perpetrated on the public and the trail of destruction it left in its wake, both for the victims and Madoff's family.
Movie details
The Wizard of Lies
“Only those you trust can truly betray you.”
2017 Crime · Drama · TV Movie 2h 13m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
6.6 / 10
Community rating
A look behind the scenes at Bernie Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme, how it was perpetrated on the public and the trail of destruction it left in its wake, both for the victims and Madoff's family.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Wizard of Lies?
For the defence
The Auteur Devotee
“You watch the director, not the movie.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Popcorn Loyalist
“Big screen, big feelings, no apologies.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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Donnie Brasco
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Where it lives
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Barry Levinson
Written by
John Burnham Schwartz · Sam Levinson · Samuel Baum
Robert De Niro
Bernie Madoff
Michelle Pfeiffer
Ruth Madoff
Hank Azaria
Frank Dipascali
Kristen Connolly
Stephanie Madoff
Lily Rabe
Catherine Hooper
Alessandro Nivola
Mark Madoff
Kathrine Narducci
Eleanor Squillari
Court is in session
Put The Wizard of Lies on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist
“Technique in search of a pulse.”
Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.