Watch The Good Lie

In "The Good Lie," Reese Witherspoon stars as Carrie Davis, a no-nonsense employment counselor in Kansas City who takes a group of Sudanese refugees under her wing. Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, and Kuoth Wiel portray four of the "Lost Boys of Sudan," who were forced to flee their homes and travel thousands of miles to refugee camps during a civil war in the late 1980s. When the brothers Mamere (Oceng), Jeremiah (Duany), and Paul (Jal) are selected for relocation to the United States, they are thrilled at the chance to start anew in a land of opportunity. But when they arrive in Kansas City, they find themselves struggling to adapt to a culture that is vastly different from their own. Carrie is determined to help them succeed, but tensions arise as the brothers struggle to reconcile their past with their new lives. As the film unfolds, we see flashbacks of the brothers' harrowing journey from Sudan to Kenya, where they spent over a decade waiting for resettlement. Along the way, they encounter unimaginable hardships, including starvation, violence, and separation from their families. The trauma they've experienced haunts them even as they try to build new lives in America. Despite the serious themes underlying the story, "The Good Lie" balances its heavier moments with plenty of heart and humor. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, and Witherspoon's portrayal of Carrie as a well-meaning but initially clueless outsider is both funny and relatable. The film also highlights the importance of friendship and support in the face of adversity, as the brothers band together to overcome the challenges they face in their new home. One of the standout performances in "The Good Lie" comes from OCENG, who brings a quiet intensity to his role as Mamere, the group's de facto leader. Duany and Jal are also impressive, portraying the more hot-headed Jeremiah and the musician Paul, respectively. And Wiel shines as Abital, a young woman who joins the group later in the film and becomes a close friend to Mamere. "The Good Lie" is a touching and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a little-known chapter in global history. It explores themes of resilience, identity, and belonging, and reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is hope for a better future.