Conceiving the Truth

Author(s): Bryce M.
Location: LA

"Conceiving the Truth"

Directed by: Spike Lee
Written by: Spike Lee
Produced by: Spike Lee and Monty Ross Cinematography by: Ernest R. Dickerson
Film Editing by: Samuel D. Pollard

Main Cast
Jurnee Smollett as Janet Morris
Vivica A. Fox as Sharon Morris
Crispin Glover as Joe Crepson John Carroll Lynch as Mike Lou
Matt Dillon as Ferris Tomster
Samuel L. Jackson as James Cattle

Tagline: "When trying to find her father she found something else"

Synopsis: Janet Morris is known around town as the A student with a promising future. She has everything except the one thing she really wants. Janet wants to know who her father was. She lives at home with her loud mouthed step father, James Cattle, and her cheery-but-depressing mother, Sharon Morris, and for years Janet has begged her mom to tell her about her father. Finally, on a hot and sunny day, she gets her wish. Sharon reveals to Janet, that 17 years ago she was raped by an old co-worker. The event was so terrifying she did not go to the police, and the event still haunts her dreams. She soon found out she was pregnant, and after some heavy thinking she decided to keep the baby. At the time of the rape Sharon wasn't aware of which one of her old co-workers raped her, but after 17 years she finally figured out who it was. However, she won't tell Janet, because she fears it will badly effect Janet's life.However, if Janet can't find out through her mom, she'll find out by herself. Janet makes it her goal to find the man who raped her mother all those years ago, who is also her father. What Janet doesn't know is what she will do once she finds him. James urges Janet to enforce vigilante justice to the mystery man. However, Janet notices that her mother actually shows a bit of love for the mystery man whenever the topic comes up in a conversation. Even though Janet does not know what she will do once she finds her father, she does have three likely suspects, that can all be her father....Joe Crepson use to be Sharon's close partner. He is known to be very silent at times, and awkward at other times. Joe has been known to put women on a somewhat religious pedestal, and has a record of therapy for sexual frustration.Mike Lou use to be Sharon's boss. He had a reputation of trying to seduce his female employees, and ultimately was fired for sexual harassment. He is known for being rude, loud, and since being fired he has been living at home; running a small independent pornography website.Ferris Tomster use to date Sharon when they both worked together. However, Sharon dumped him when she found out he was involved with drug trafficking. Eventually, word of Ferris' drug involvement led to him being fired. The short tempered Ferris blamed his job loss on Sharon, and was even visited by the police after making death threats to Sharon. As the years went by, Ferris was arrested for attempted child molestation, but recently has been let out of prison on parole. As Janet investigates the suspects, and comes close to finding the truth, the question of what she will do once she finds her father is still enslaving her mind. Will she find her father and embrace him? Or bring him to justice?

What the Press would say:
Spike Lee returns back to his personal film roots with his latest film "Conceiving the Truth". The film follows a young women as she tries to find her biological father, who raped her mother at conception. The film may sound melodramtic or something that would be a very intense drama, but Spike Lee tones down the tense atmosphere for a more optimistic one. Just like with "Do The Right Thing" or "Jungle Fever" the drama is very hip, having a comedic sense in some scenes to go along with the drama. However, just because the atmosphere is comical and hip doesn't mean the dramatic plot points are frail or the effective story telling is missing. Scenes are just as powerful as they have always been in a Spike Lee film, and Spike Lee does provide a powerful theme to an already compelling story.Spike Lee has had some powerful performances in his past movies, but, without a second thought, "Conceiving the Truth" has the best acting out of any previous Spike Lee film. Crispin Glover, Matt Dillon, and Samuel L. Jackson all provide great performances. Jurnee Smollett shines as the lead in a role that will surely earn her more exposure, and bring her career into new heights. John Carroll Lynch will surely end up as a fan favorite in the same sense as Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed". His character is loud, rude, and hilarious, but he can also can pull off the dramatic scenes like a pro. However, the show stealer here, which I think all critics will agree with, is Vivica A. Fox with a performance that is not only leagues better than her past roles, but also one of the most compelling supporting performances of the year. Vivica plays the mother of Jurnee's character, who was raped years ago, and became pregnant with her daughter. What makes the character so interesting is the fact that she almost holds the person who raped her in an envious position. In addition to that trait, Vivica also has some great scenes in the various flashback scenes, which consist of a terrifying rape scene.Although I think "Inside Man" was a brilliant movie, "Conceiving the Truth" is the true return of Spike Lee. His style that he has used in past movies such as "Do The right Thing" has returned, along with some of the best ensemble acting of the year, and an incredible show stealing performance from Vivica A. Fox. "Conceiving the Truth" will be known as one of the best films of the year, and audiences will be highly entertained.

Best Picture
Best Director- Spike Lee
Best Actress- Jurnee Smollett
Best Supporting Actress- Vivica A. Fox
Best Supporting Actor- John Carroll Lynch
Best Supporting Actor- Samuel L. Jackson
Best Original Screenplay- Spike Lee
Best Film Editing
Best Sound Editing
Best Cinematography