Lies My Mother Told Me is a made-for-TV movie that originally aired on Lifetime in 2005. The film follows the story of a talented con artist named Lila, played by Joely Richardson, who moves from town to town with her daughter, Little Lila, played by Hayden Panettiere, always on the lookout for the next scam. They become involved with a wealthy man named Frank, whom Lila decides to marry for his money. However, their plans go awry when Frank becomes suspicious of Lila's past and enlists a private investigator to find out more about her.
Determined not to be caught, Lila devises a plan to murder Frank and make it look like an accident. But when her daughter becomes a witness to the crime, Lila must choose between protecting herself and her daughter. The film is a psychological thriller that delves into the complex relationship between mother and daughter as Lila struggles to keep her secrets hidden and her daughter safe. Will she be able to outrun her past and start a new life, or will her lies finally catch up to her?
The movie was directed by Christian Duguay and written by Matt Dorff. In addition to Richardson and Panettiere, the cast includes Hayden Christensen, Colm Feore, and Ellen Burstyn. Lies My Mother Told Me received mostly positive reviews, with praise going to Richardson's performance and the film's suspenseful plot.