Grade: B

Based on true events, probably exaggerated for dramatic effect, The Hoax tells the story of how small-time author Clifford Irving created a big-time stir when he got a publishing deal for the “biography” he said he was co-authoring with Howard Hughes.  Richard Gere plays the ballsy writer with just enough arrogance to think he’s going to get away with it.  This is a complex character, and to make him more believably sleazy, Gere dyed his silver locks a mousy brown and put in a bad perm.  Marcia Gay Harden plays his put-upon wife.  Love her!  Great cast, interesting story, more so because it’s something that actually happened.