True Lies Synopsis: A fearless, globe-trotting, terrorist-battling secret agent has his life turned upside down when he discovers his wife might be having an affair with a used car salesman while terrorists smuggle nuclear war heads into the United States.
Harry Tasker is a mild-mannered computer salesman, at least that’s what his wife, Helen, and daughter, Dana, believe. In reality, Harry is a secret agent for a top-secret government organization, balancing his international missions with suburban life for seventeen years. Things escalate when Harry suspects that Helen is having an affair, leading him to seek the truth at the same time a group of terrorists smuggles nuclear weapons into the United States.
It’s been a long time since I last saw True Lies. I remember watching it in the 90s when VHS was still a thing (oof!). I recall enjoying it, and with Screenage Wasteland’s action month happening, it felt natural to watch it again and write a review, especially since there are definitely some romantic comedy elements in this film.
True Lies is the epitome of 90s action films. Explosions, shootouts, high-speed chases, and of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, what makes True Lies stand out from many other action movies of the era is its human element. At its core, True Lies is really about a marriage in crisis.
Harry Tasker is tasked (ha!) with saving the world, but he also has to save his marriage. His wife, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), feels stuck in a rut, craving adventure and feeling disconnected from her husband. Curtis shines in this role, bringing real heart to Helen’s journey from a bored housewife to a reluctant badass. The chemistry between her and Schwarzenegger is stronger than you might expect. Their awkward, action-packed reconnection gives the movie an emotional core that can be hard to find in the genre.
The supporting cast adds to the humor, especially Tom Arnold as Gib, Harry’s right-hand man, and the late Bill Paxton, who plays a sleazy used car salesman pretending to be a spy to woo bored housewives.
Given that the film was released in 1994, some of the humor feels a bit dated now. While Schwarzenegger excels in action and showcases decent comedic timing, he isn’t known for his emoting, so some of his more emotional scenes come off as flat. Additionally, the tone of the film can shift quite abruptly at times. However, True Lies is entertaining enough that these issues didn’t bother me too much.
My only real complaint is that the movie felt a bit long. James Cameron does an excellent job of keeping the story moving, but by the time Harry takes a military jet to save his daughter, I started to feel the runtime. While I know many people love that sequence, especially with how the antagonist is handled, the last twenty minutes felt unnecessary to me.
True Lies isn’t a typical romantic comedy, but that’s part of its charm. Beneath all the explosions and espionage lies a surprisingly sweet story about love, identity, and second chances.
Watched: 06/22/2025
Notable Song: Sunshine of Your Love by Living Colour
