The Unbelievable Truth

Josh Hutton returns to his hometown after serving time for murder, and he soon runs into Audry Hugo, a young woman whose curiosity and reserve shape the town's gossip mill. No one seems able to recall exactly what Josh did, and the memory gap becomes a quiet battleground for trust. As Audry tests the line between caution and fascination, their uneasy connection grows amid awkward encounters, deadpan humor, and small acts of honesty that don't quite resolve the past. The film observes how truth can be fragile and how forgiveness is earned in tiny, imperfect moments, rather than by dramatic revelations. Audry's doubts mirror Josh's own guarded past, and the town becomes a quiet observer that comments on truth itself.

Released in 1990, The Unbelievable Truth is directed by Hal Hartley from his own screenplay. It's a micro-budget indie shot on location with a small crew and features Adrienne Shelly and Robert John Burke. The project showcases Hartley's calm, dry wit and compact storytelling. The film did not receive major nominations, but Hartley's early work earned recognition within independent cinema circles for its dry humor, intimate storytelling, and distinctive dialogue style, which helped establish his reputation among fans of offbeat, low budget films. Even so, critics praised Hartley's precision and the economy of dialogue.

Over time, the movie has found a devoted following among fans of Hal Hartley and 1990s indie cinema. It is studied in some film courses for its minimalist aesthetics and dialogue driven scenes, and its portrayal of forgiveness as an ongoing negotiation rather than a single epiphany.

Critics noted a deadpan tone and a focus on truth and forgiveness within intimate ties. The film pairs humor with restraint, steering away from melodrama as it asks how much of the past can be redeemed by small acts of honesty. Its tone favors observation over exposition.