The Good Lie is the story of “The Lost Boys” who were orphaned by the brutal civil war in Sudan, which began in 1983. Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3,600 lost boys, as well as girls, to America. Upon arriving in Kansas, they are met by Carrie Davis (Witherspoon), an employment agency counselor who has been enlisted to help find them jobs—no easy task, when things like light switches and telephones are brand new to them. Although Carrie has successfully kept herself from any emotional entanglements, these refugees, who desperately require help navigating the 21st century and rebuilding their shattered lives, need just that. So Carrie embarks on her own unchartered territory, enlisting the help of her boss, Jack (Stoll).
Special features include the featurette The Good Lie Journey (HD 16:19), 15 deleted scenes (HD 15:06), upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.
The Arri digital 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture is wonderful with a richly saturated color palette. Hues are warm and vivid against well-balanced contrast, in which blacks are deep and natural and shadow delineation is revealing. Primary hues are strong and bright. Fleshtones are naturally rendered throughout. Resolution is terrific, with fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. The picture is wonderfully colorful and natural, while projecting realism that is absolutely engaging.
The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel is superb. While dialogue focused, the orchestral score, enhanced with beautiful African singing, is nicely recorded with a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the surrounds. Atmospherics and sound effects are powerfully delivered in the opening scenes with deep, strong .1 LFE response during the war scenes in Sudan. Dialogue is consistently intelligible and natural sounding, with good spatial integration. This is a well-crafted soundtrack, often holosonic® in presence that is emotionally engaging.