The Big Lie by John Mankiewicz

The Big Lie by John Mankiewicz
Narrator: Jon Hamm, Kate Mara, Ana de la Reguera, Bradley Whitford, John Slattery, Giancarlo Esposito, David Strathairn, a full cast
Published by Audible Original on June 1, 2022
Source: Audible Plus
Genres: Historical Fiction
Length: 4 hrs 5 mins
Format: Audiobook
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Jon Hamm leads an all-star cast that includes Kate Mara, Ana de la Reguera, John Slattery, and Bradley Whitford in the riveting true story behind the making of the one American movie the FBI never wanted you to see.

The Big Lie follows FBI special agent Jack Bergin (Jon Hamm), who is sent to investigate three blacklisted filmmakers - Academy Award-winning writer Michael Wilson, Academy Award-nominated producer Paul Jarrico, and director Herbert J. Biberman - who were inspired by a New Mexico labor strike to make a movie that dramatized their pro-labor, pro-feminist beliefs. Convinced the film is a recruitment tool for the Communist Party, Jack will do whatever is necessary to shut the production down.

Featuring a star-studded cast that also includes Giancarlo Esposito, David Strathairn, Lisa Edelstein, Raymond Cruz, Troy Evans, Kirk Baltz, John Getz, and Lela Loren, The Big Lie is an explosive story of conspiracy, betrayal, and temptation that resonates with today’s divided America and reminds us all that fear spreads faster than the truth.

The Big Lie centers around the filming of “Salt of the Earth” in 1954 in New Mexico. The FBI wants it shut down, believing it to be nothing more than Communist propaganda. The performances are solid and the sound effects evoke the period well. The story itself is a bit predictable, but since it’s based on a true incident, that’s probably not surprising. It turns out the world isn’t as black and white as FBI Special Agent Bergin would like to believe.