“True Lies” is a 1994 American action-comedy film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Tom Arnold. The film follows Harry Tasker, a top spy for the United States government who leads a double life, pretending to be a dull computer salesman to his wife and daughter. When Harry discovers a terrorist group planning a major attack on American soil, he enlists the help of his fellow agents to stop them.
The movie features a number of exciting action sequences, including a thrilling motorcycle chase through the streets of Miami and a harrowing rescue mission involving a helicopter and a harrier jet. The film also contains a lot of humor, much of which comes from the dynamic between Schwarzenegger and Curtis, who plays Harry’s unsuspecting wife. The film was a box office success and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its blend of action and comedy.
Casts
The main cast of “True Lies” includes:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger as Harry Tasker
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Helen Tasker
- Tom Arnold as Albert Gibson
- Bill Paxton as Simon
- Tia Carrere as Juno Skinner
- Art Malik as Salim Abu Aziz
- Eliza Dushku as Dana Tasker
- Grant Heslov as Faisil
- Charlton Heston as Spencer Trilby
These actors played significant roles in the movie and helped make “True Lies” the memorable film that it is.
Production
“True Lies” was directed by James Cameron, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeb Stuart. The film was produced by Cameron and his then-wife, Gale Anne Hurd, through their production company, Lightstorm Entertainment. The film was distributed by 20th Century Fox.
The movie was filmed on location in various places, including Washington D.C., Miami, and the Florida Keys, as well as in studios in California. The film’s impressive action sequences, including the helicopter-jet chase, were accomplished through a combination of practical effects and innovative use of computer-generated imagery (CGI).
The film’s budget was reportedly around $115 million, making it one of the most expensive movies made at the time. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $378 million worldwide.
Overall, the production of “True Lies” was a significant undertaking, requiring a massive budget and intricate coordination of numerous stunts and effects. But the final product was a thrilling and entertaining movie that has stood the test of time.
Reviews
“True Lies” received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release in 1994. The film’s blend of action and comedy, as well as the chemistry between Schwarzenegger and Curtis, were particularly praised. The movie currently holds a 72% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 65 reviews.
In his review for the New York Times, critic Vincent Canby praised the film’s action scenes and humor, writing, “Mr. Cameron knows how to stage and shoot action as well as anyone in the business… At the same time, he’s not afraid to have fun.” Canby also singled out Curtis for her performance, calling her “bright and sassy.”
Roger Ebert also gave the film a positive review, praising its mix of genres and writing, “The movie works because Cameron is a great action director, Schwarzenegger is a star and knows it, and Jamie Lee Curtis is not only beautiful but funny.” However, Ebert did express some reservations about the film’s portrayal of Middle Eastern villains, writing, “I winced whenever the villains appeared onscreen, because they represent a new twist on an old Hollywood cliche.”
Overall, “True Lies” was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and has since become a beloved classic in the action-comedy genre.
Where are they now?
Here’s an update on what some of the main cast members of “True Lies” are up to now:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to be active in Hollywood, with recent films including “Terminator: Dark Fate” and “Kung Fury 2.” He is also involved in politics and philanthropy.
- Jamie Lee Curtis has continued acting and has appeared in a variety of films and TV shows, including the “Halloween” franchise and “Knives Out.” She is also a children’s book author and a humanitarian activist.
- Tom Arnold has continued to act in film and television, and has also hosted his own TV shows. He is known for his political activism and his outspokenness on social media.
- Bill Paxton passed away in 2017 at the age of 61 due to complications from surgery. He continued to act in films and TV shows up until his death, including in “Training Day” and “Edge of Tomorrow.”
- Tia Carrere has continued acting and has appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including the “Wayne’s World” franchise and “Relic Hunter.” She is also a musician and has released several albums.
- Eliza Dushku has continued acting and has appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including “Dollhouse” and “Banshee.” She is also an advocate for social and political causes.
- Charlton Heston passed away in 2008 at the age of 84. He continued to act in films up until his death, including in the “Planet of the Apes” franchise and “Bowling for Columbine.” He was also known for his activism in conservative politics and his advocacy for gun rights.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “True Lies”:
- “True Lies” is a remake of a French film called “La Totale!,” which was released in 1991.
- Jamie Lee Curtis did most of her own stunts in the film, including the famous strip-tease scene.
- The film’s climactic sequence, in which a Harrier jet chases a helicopter through the streets of Miami, required a combination of practical effects and CGI. The filmmakers used a specially modified Harrier jet that was capable of hovering, as well as a 1/3 scale model of the jet that was used for some of the more dangerous shots.
- The film features a cameo from Charlton Heston, who plays a high-ranking government official. Heston’s character is named Spencer Trilby, which is also the name of the character he played in the 1972 film “The Call of the Wild.”
- The film’s script went through several revisions, with screenwriter Jeb Stuart working on it for several years before James Cameron was brought on to direct. Cameron made significant changes to the script, including adding more humor and romance to the story.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, Harry Tasker, is named after two famous British actors: Harry Andrews and Tasker Watkins.
- The film was a box office success, grossing over $378 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1994.
Box office
“True Lies” was a box office success, grossing over $378 million worldwide against a reported production budget of around $115 million.
The film was released in the United States on July 15, 1994, and opened at number one at the box office with a weekend gross of $25 million. It went on to gross $146 million in the United States and Canada, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of 1994.
Internationally, the film grossed $232 million, with particularly strong performances in Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Overall, “True Lies” was one of the highest-grossing films of the 1990s, and its success helped cement Arnold Schwarzenegger’s status as a box office draw.
