The Hoax

The Hoax is the film adapted from Clifford Irving's book of the same name. It follows Clifford Iriving played by Richard Gere and his researcher friend Dick Suskind played by Alfred Moling who have been asked by Howard Hughes to do an autobiography on him. This is a hoax as Howard Hughes has never met him as Howard Hughes will later say in the film. Clifford does this because he was given misleading information on how his book on Elmy de Holyr the art forger called fake.

In fact there is irony in this. Elymr de holyr learnt art by copying the masters. However Elymr de holyr had is own art but the art dealers where not interested. As Elymr De holyr said in Orson Welles F for fake that when ever they were showed a Picasso copy they thought it was wonderful and were wondering if another would turn up. Elymr was poor so the only way for him to make a living was to sell these copies as real master pieces of Picasso and other great artist. Clifford is like this because since Macgraw-hill did not publish his book fake. This is why Clifford Irving went into imaginative beliefs to fool his Mcgraw-hill agent Andrea Tate(Hope Davis) that his letter by Howard Hughes is genuine. Clifford Irving wanted to have a best seller but what was so amazing was he thought that a book on an art fakery which is elitist would get a best seller. His choice of subject could be the reason why he is friends with Dick Suskind who is at that time researching a book on Richard Lionheart. As there view on everything else is completely different because Dick Suskind does not care about fame.

Richard Gere is excellent as Clifford Irving. Richard Gere is hardly recognisable and looks nearly like Clifford Irving himself who featured in Orson Welles F for Fake. Richard Gere shows great versatility and range in becoming Clifford Irving with his sloppy hair and attitude. But more important than Clifford Irving's study of Howard Hughes was his research and it was like watching a method actor study and prepare for his next part. To compare Gere's hughes with Leonardo's in The Aviator like some reviews is not wise. It is not a good comparison as Leo's focus was on his bussiness life and social life and how that changed during his accident on an aircraft. Ricard Gere's focus as Clifford Irving on Howard Hughes was his character and persona and his mistrust of people. Also Hoax only sees Hughes when he is a recluse. The reason the book gets the read light is because talking and confirming with Howard Hughes is extremely hard as he only talks to a few people. Even those people the way he communicates is far from ordinary.

Alfred Moling is great as Dick suskind being able to convey his narrow mindedness and conservative views and more importantly make Clifford Irving look more charismatic and charming than he really is. Though Dick Suskind also changes like Clifford Irving. Dick was quite weak and feeble but starts to take some control halfway through the film. One part I should mention is when he tells Clifford Irving's agent he is a co-author of the book When Clifford is having trouble finding something to tell Andrea Tate. Clifford did not like that and puts him back in his place but only for few moments. He tricks Dick into an affair with two hookers. Dick gets scared and for a moment comes under the power of Clifford. Dick gthen tells his wife so Clifford loses the control of Dick.

Clifford Irving did very well becoming Howard Hughes but I think his change into Howard Hughes happened even before he took up this adventurous project. One scene that supports that is when he has a meeting with his agent Andrea Tate. He was met by her assistant. He storms in the meeting and says that he got the next best seller and wants her to meet at the bowling alley and says a famous writer would be there. He then in a couple of hours meets with Dick to suggest what his book would be and sees some one reading a magazine aobut Howard Hughes. He then fakes a letter of Howard Hughes and his signature aksing to write his autobiography. Howard Hughes however has never sighed away from dirty deeds like that. Clifford Irving complete transformation into Howard Hughes did not come when he got the book from a former empoylee. It came from how he managed to get the book. He bluffed the former employee and got his friend Dick to copy the book.

Clifford 's wife Edith, played by Morcia gray Harden also gets involved. She is used to deposit checks. She has an uneven relationship with Clifford. This is because Clifford had an affair with an actress. This creeps up again and ruins their marriage and more importantly it ruins Clifford's autobiography on Howard Huges.

During research of the book Howard hughes supposedly finds out. He gives them information concerning the Regan Administration with money laundering. Clifford is kidnapped and beaten up to force him to put this in his book. The film suggests that this is what cuased the Watergate Scandal.

One of the funniest moment in The Hoax is Clifford Irving praticising being Howard Hughes and more importantly when he tries to argue through the book agreement. Clifford Becomes ruthless almost like Howard Hughes. Another funny moment is when he battles Mcgraw-hill. This is when there is a report of another autobiography. Clifford gets rughless and wants more money if they are to publish the book.

What is is so good about the film is not acting which is excellent no the portrayal of Howard Hughes which is good. It is the the portrayal of the authors and book publishers and the want of fame. So Like Devil wears prada Hoax gives you an insider look at the book publishers and writing world. Also about the want of fame. Clifford Irving so wants to be famous that through all his extradorinary plans and Ambitions. The only way Clifford became known was for his infamy.