The Hoax (2006)

In the whirlwind year of 1971, Clifford Irving, a struggling author, grapples with the sting of rejection when his latest manuscript, brimming with potential, is callously dismissed by the prestigious publishing house, McGraw-Hill. With his professional reputation teetering on the brink of obscurity, Irving is spurred to weave a daring illusion - he alleges that he holds the exclusive honor of penning the autobiography of the enigmatic billionaire, Howard Hughes. This audacious claim thrills his previously dismissive contact at McGraw-Hill, Andrea Tate, and her colleagues, who are now tantalized by the prospect of such a monumental literary event. Notwithstanding the glaring reality of never having met or even been contacted by Hughes, Irving, alongside his loyal friend and diligent researcher, Richard Suskind, embarks on a perilous journey of fabrication. Irving's audacious gamble hinges on Hughes's well-known aversion to the spotlight – a characteristic of the recluse that has so far resulted in silence even in the face of a damaging lawsuit tied to his airline, TWA. As Irving and Suskind delve deeper into their grand deception, they fortuitously stumble upon confidential information about Hughes that could lend a veneer of authenticity to their fabrication. In a twist of fate, they also unearth explosive information with the potential to trigger political shockwaves, reshaping their entire narrative. Simultaneously, Irving attempts to navigate the treacherous waters of his personal life. His wife, Edith Irving, under the pseudonym Helga R. Hughes, reluctantly joins the ruse to cash the checks made out to H.R. Hughes. Amid the chaos, Irving also juggles an illicit affair with the glamorous actress, Nina van Pallandt, further blurring the lines between his intricate deception and reality. In this thrilling game of cat and mouse, will Irving's audacious creativity and quick wit be enough to pull off the hoax of the century? Or will his crumbling personal life and unraveling sense of truth be his ultimate undoing? "The Hoax" is a riveting journey through a daring deception, where ambition, greed, and the insatiable allure of fame collide.

The Hoax is a comedy movie featuring Richard Gere.

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