MOVIE TIP

The Good Liar

On the upside, it’s fantastic to see icons Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen finally sharing the screen at ages 74 and 80, respectively. They still spark and fizz as actors. On the downside, “The Good Liar” sags under the weight of an ultimately unsatisfying story and lifeless direction. McKellen plays a con man whose eyes light up when he susses out a wealthy, trusting widow, played by Mirren. He’s running other scams on the side, even as he moves into Mirren’s house, while Mirren’s suspicious grandson stews. When the twists start happening toward the end (it’s no spoiler that a movie like this has twists, right?), they feel as if they come charging in from left field.