Believe it or not, there exists proof that hack screenwriter Joe Eszterhas ("Basic Instinct," "Showgirls") can actually create three-dimensional characters.

"Telling Lies in America," which the exploitational scripter wrote and executive produced, is a somewhat autobiographical portrait of a young Hungarian immigrant's struggles to find love and respect, and features a strong central performance from Brad Renfro ("The Client").

This coming-of-age drama still has its share of flaws, not the least of which is sloppy plotting and a troubling final message (that lying really can get you anywhere). And there is lots of the profanity and vulgar dialogue for which Eszterhas is famous.

Of course, the film probably wouldn't have seen the light of day without the presence of Kevin Bacon, who plays a sleazy Cleveland disc jockey in the early '60s, and Calista Flockhart, the up-and-coming star of TV's "Ally McBeal."

Renfro plays Charles "Karchy" Jonas, an unpopular student at a snooty Catholic high school who has a pronounced truth-telling problem. His nonstop fibs are constantly landing him in trouble with the school's stern principal, Father Norton (Paul Dooley).

However, his "gift" for lying also helps him land a dream job with popular DJ Billy Magic (Bacon), who makes Karchy his assistant and personal reclamation project — he helps the teen "score" for the first time and encourages his sweet-talking behavior.

Billy also uses Karchy as the go-between in his illegal "payola" scam, in which record producers and artists give the DJ "presents" (i.e., cash) to play their records.

His confidence brimming, Karchy finally asks out his dream girl, Diney Majeski (Flockhart), an older former co-worker. But he botches that with his duplicity, and slowly his wall of lies starts to crumble — with some seemingly dire repercussions for Karchy's steelworker father (Maximilian Schell), who's planning to take his citizenship exam.

Even when things take a few wrong turns, director Guy Ferland ("The Babysitter") shows a firm hand and keeps things moving, and the actors are terrific, although Dooley turns in a surprisingly one-note performance (it doesn't help that his character is so underwritten).

"Telling Lies in America" is rated PG-13 for rampant profanities, some vulgar sex talk, brief violence and sex.