Alex Gibney: what about your Lie? The Gibney Lie?

[86TDFWinner]

Gibney is an Armstrong fan.

Not anymore I dont think.

 

[86TDFWinner]

The movie is a total let down.

I guess it maybe better in a few more years time once Lance is released from jail.

And a lot more pieces of the puzzle are in the public domain.

You can tell Gibney really wanted Armstrong to win. But at the same time you can tell Armstrong was using Gibney as well.

Like I said in a previous thread: Thanks for saving me $7 to not watch it.

 

[lastwheel]

Here's the backstory of the documentary.

Frank Marshall, who is a huge producer in Hollywood, was a fan of Armstrong. He was contacted by Armstrong's posse about making a movie. He went and took the rights to Matt Tolmach who was President at Sony Pictures at the time and who is a huge cyclist.

Tolmach bought the rights to Armstrong's story and development started. Matt Damon, Toby Maguire, Jake Gylenhaal and others were considered for the main part. Some of them took up biking, bought 16K rigs and got dropped like horse poo.

It became clear to Marshall/Tolmach that it was difficult to develop a film based on a person who was still alive and active. Then he retired and it project kinda did, too.

Marshall was a huge lanceboy who never really believed the allegations, but certainly was fully aware of them. Tolmach, on the other hand, is a cyclist who, though infatuated with Armstrong (and, as is usual in his business, with celebrities in general), had doubts. In fact, most people who know him would probably say, he knew deep inside, but chose to overlook it, because he knew that audiences wanted the hero story. He also liked being friends with Armstrong, liked riding in team cars during races, liked going to training camps.

Both, Marshall and Tolmach were often guests at the TdF, TdC, TdG etc. They went to fundraisers for Livestrong as well.

When Armstrong told the producers he was going to try a comeback they thought it would make a good documentary. Armstrong thought so, too. They went after and got Alex Gibney as the director. Gibney really knew nothing about cycling. That said, the idea was to make a uplifting, inspirational movie.

It was only when the **** hit the fan for Lance, that they shelved the documentary. Then, at some point, Armstrong told them that he lied and that he was thinking about coming clean. This happened while Marshall/Tolmach were at a fundraiser in Austin. There was talk about changing the movie and coming clean in the documentary, but the timing didn't work. So they decided to make the movie, now about Armstrong lying. They went and filmed the Oprah interview, did a post-Oprah interview etc. It's all in the movie.

The point is that Armstrong was involved in the 'new' documentary from the beginning and he is financially profiting from the movie, still. It is no coincidence that Armstrong is doing tons of interviews just when the movie comes out.

Gibney I have the least issue with in all this. The project didn't originate from him. He's a hired filmmaker who knows nothing about cycling and was handed an opportunity that then had to be changed into something else. I don't think his heart was ever really in this project.

Marshall and Tolmach on the other hand are the real hypocrites in this. They were fans, lanceboys, but probably knew it wasn't all kosher. Then, when things went wrong, they made the decision to change the movie and make it about the lie they believed in, but knew wasn't true. Now they might be nominated for an Oscar.

 

[86TDFWinner]

The point is that Armstrong was involved in the 'new' documentary from the beginning and he is financially profiting from the movie, still. It is no coincidence that Armstrong is doing tons of interviews just when the movie comes out.

Thanks for the info. He's even a sham when it comes to movies. Like another poster says, when it serves his wallet, only then does he "come clean".


I'm glad I never spent the $$$ to go see this.

 

[thehog]

Thanks for the info. He's even a sham when it comes to movies. Like another poster says, when it serves his wallet, only then does he "come clean".


I'm glad I never spent the $$$ to go see this.

The post come clean interview he had a big smile on his face.

No wonder.

What a shister.

 

[Benotti69]

Interestingly i asked this question a while ago whether Armstrong was going to benefit from the movie. I was told he wasn't but i found that hard to believe.

I will not be contributing any $$$s to this until i find out who gets the profits.

 

[lastwheel]

Listen to the interview Tolmach and Marshall gave to the cycling radio dude. It's 90 minutes and the guy asks. Tolmach says the "usual rights agreements" are in place. My guess is, Armstrong gets about 5 points on the dollar.

 

[DirtyWorks]

... because he knew that audiences wanted the hero story. He also liked being friends with Armstrong, liked riding in team cars during races, liked going to training camps.

This is the movie business in one phrase.

As mentioned earlier, it's a business and the product is entertainment and the story would attract an audience.

As for the money/power behind the project, no surprises there. Sometimes those people aren't the best examples of humanity.

Thank you for posting the details.

 

[darwin553]

I wanna see the Gibney lie.

This version will be a special feature on the DVD.

 

[Bosco10]

Looks like this movie is not going to have a very big release. I live in the Los Angeles area, and only a few theaters will be showing it here in the coming weeks.

http://sonyclassics.com/thearmstronglie/dates.html

 

[thehog]

Looks like this movie is not going to have a very big release. I live in the Los Angeles area, and only a few theaters will be showing it here in the coming weeks.

http://sonyclassics.com/thearmstronglie/dates.html

There was 8 people in the cinema when I saw it. 2nd day of release.

All non-cyclists because they "ohhh'ed" & "ahhhed" at all the old stories we'd heard a million times.

 

[Bosco10]

There was 8 people in the cinema when I saw it. 2nd day of release.

All non-cyclists because they "ohhh'ed" & "ahhhed" at all the old stories we'd heard a million times.

I really thought there would be more general interest. Could be that Armstrong is, as WADA would say, done & dusted.

 

[86TDFWinner]

Looks like this movie is not going to have a very big release. I live in the Los Angeles area, and only a few theaters will be showing it here in the coming weeks.

http://sonyclassics.com/thearmstronglie/dates.html

I know it's playing at the Laemmle in Pasadena, as the Poster for it, is on the side of the wall there. Plus, i already spoke to the lady @ the ticket booth, she said they really wanted it.

 

[thehog]

I really thought there would be more general interest. Could be that Armstrong is, as WADA would say, done & dusted.

Yes. That he is. There is no way back. Even to a reality show.

The world is slowly recovering from a horrible economic downturn. No one has time for a shoddy used car salesman.

 

[High Octane]

There was 8 people in the cinema when I saw it. 2nd day of release.

All non-cyclists because they "ohhh'ed" & "ahhhed" at all the old stories we'd heard a million times.

Wow, you were keen to see it.

It is a documentary. Documentaries aren't comparable to regular movies. You'd have to see how it compares in that category.

 

[High Octane]

Yes. That he is. There is no way back. Even to a reality show.

The world is slowly recovering from a horrible economic downturn. No one has time for a shoddy used car salesman.

How did you find time?

 

[thehog]

How did you find time?

It was a low point personally. I'm not proud of it

 

[Bosco10]

I know it's playing at the Laemmle in Pasadena, as the Poster for it, is on the side of the wall there. Plus, i already spoke to the lady @ the ticket booth, she said they really wanted it.

Hey thanks! Laemmle isn't even listed on the movie's website, but Leammle's own website says the movie opens there on Friday. I will probably make a "Trek" to go see it now.

 

[Bosco10]

Yes. That he is. There is no way back. Even to a reality show.

The world is slowly recovering from a horrible economic downturn. No one has time for a shoddy used car salesman.

Not even Dancing With the Stars?

 

[thehog]

Hey thanks! Laemmle isn't even listed on the movie's website, but Leammle's own website says the movie opens there on Friday. I will probably make a "Trek" to go see it now.

Don't forget the yellow wristband.

 

[Bosco10]

Don't forget the yellow wristband.

I just called Laemmle. If I show up on a Trek, wearing a yellow wristband, I get a large stale popcorn.. free!

 

[thehog]

I just called Laemmle. If I show up on a Trek, wearing a yellow wristband, I get a large stale popcorn.. free!

Don't worry. When you step away from the movie you'll double take and say to yourself. Was that Hannibal?

But yes, wear your 2002 USPS jersey, livestrong helmet, radioshack shorts on a trek bike.

 

[86TDFWinner]

I just called Laemmle. If I show up on a Trek, wearing a yellow wristband, I get a large stale popcorn.. free!

LOL, What a deal!

You're welcome btw.

 

[Bosco10]

I saw The Armstrong Lie this past Friday night. The theater was packed..(just kidding!). As Hog mentioned, the film is a letdown. You can tell that Gibney is still a fan (or at least a semi-fan). Interestingly, Ferrari came off as being a folksy nerd, almost loveable. And wow, George Hincapie is such a toolkit for his buddy Lance. Overall, The Armstrong Lie has a somewhat mild flavor, definitely not harsh. I don't think Lance would be too upset if he saw it.