The Wizard of Lies

About The Wizard of Lies

The Wizard of Lies is a 2017 American television drama film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Sam Levinson, Sam Baum, and John Burnham Schwartz, based on the 2011 non-fiction book of the same name by Diana B. Henriques. The film is built around the infamous Bernie Madoff scandal that erupted in 2008, in which Madoff was revealed to have been the architect of one of the largest Ponzi scheme in history.

Making / Production

Principal photography on the film began in New York City in early August 2015. The film was a HBO Production and was directed by Barry Levinson, a noted director with a long-standing history in Hollywood.

Actors

• Robert De Niro as Bernie Madoff - De Niro gives a haunting portrayal of the infamous Wall Street swindler whose Ponzi scheme defrauded thousands of investors.
• Michelle Pfeiffer as Ruth Madoff - Pfeiffer shines as Madoff's wife, providing a nuanced and deeply emotional performance.
• Alessandro Nivola as Mark Madoff - Nivola plays Bernie's eldest son, capturing the character's inner torment and desperation effectively.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film marked the first time Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer shared the screen together since they played spouses in the comical mafia film "The Family" (2013).
• Real-life journalist Diana B. Henriques plays herself in the film. She was the first journalist to interview Madoff in prison.

Awards

Robert De Niro's portrayal of Bernie Madoff earned him a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.

Quotes

• "I did all of this for the two of you. I did it for you." - Bernie Madoff
• "Everybody loves success. But they hate successful people." - Mark Madoff

Music / Soundtrack

• "Money (That's What I Want)" - Barrett Strong
• "C'est Si Bon" - Eartha Kitt