After serving time in prison, Josh Hutton (Burke) returns to his Long Island home to try to pick up his life. Finding work as a mechanic, he meets the cause-fighting Audrey (Shelly), a woman disaffected with her comfy suburban existence who is torn between a college career and a lucrative life in modelling. Much enamoured with the dark, tall, and handsome stranger whose reputation continually conspires against him, Audry conspires to begin an affair.
Hal Hartley's witty and extremely winning film is full of vitality and charm. All the Hartley trademarks are present: elliptical, sassy dialogue (a strength which arose out of budgetary constraints), inventive use of film form (jump cuts and inter-titles), and a whole batch of endearing performances from a cast with whom Hartley was to work on a regular basis.
Shelly and Burke are a perfect match and there's fine and abundant support. Regular director of photography Michael Spiller ensures it all looks a treat, and though undeniably low-key "The Unbelievable Truth" still succeeds as a perceptive comment on the mores of small-town life.