We Always Lie to Strangers

For five years, filmmakers AJ Schnack and David Wilson followed showbiz folk in upstart entertainment capital Branson, MO. Over a 50-year period, Branson went from sleepy Ozark town to a $3 billion-per-year entertainment mecca, peddling all-American, G-rated recreation. We Always Lie to Strangers is less historical recap, however, than almost anthropological view of the players in many of the live-entertainment venues. Raeanne Presley is a personable, apparently hands-on mayor, who married into the town's longest-established performing dynasty (unable to sing or dance, she runs the place). Bill Lennon and singer wife Gail are part of the singing Lennons of Lawrence Welk fame; California transplants, the Lennons are rare liberals amidst the prevailing conservative Bible Belt culture (and only one person of color appears here: TV weatherman Al Roker, for a morning-show plug). Chip Holderman, part of Branson's low-key gay minority, seems to have an idyllic relationship even with his ex-wife and mother of his sons, until ugly homophobia erupts with her re-marriage and a potential custody battle. Caring for aging parents and struggling with economic recession also take their toll on Branson's middle-class customer base, adding to the offstage drama. Serving up an intriguing look at a nice, red-white-and-blue town that appears to have only one ephemeral product to sell in a down economy, this is highly recommended. (C. Cassady)