Nothing But the Truth

The ending reminded me of "The Sixth Sense". The only thing is, it was just us (the viewers) this time. Although the major part of the script was focused on Beckinsale's character which she flawlessly portrays, but it was Vera Fermiga who stole the show with her limited screen time. Since, it was a work of fiction which was somewhat inspired by real events, a more screen space to Fermiga's character would have certainly maintained the intensity in the plot which clearly declined after she parts away. You have to watch it to believe it. These two ladies faced off each other twice in the movie and I have to say those were the moments you couldn't forget. As for the whole movie, it is something you don't see regularly on Hollywood's menu and therefore is definitely worth your time.

The ending will leave you asking this question to yourself - "Was she really protecting the source? Was it really about her principles?" And yes, you will get your answers shortly and that answer changes every opinion you had about the characters that you could have vouched for.

And this my friend is what makes this piece of work alluring!

Very nice movie, a bit slow. Kate Beckinsale refuses to not look completely edible even when she has jail scenes, while Vera Farmiga looks just as good as to make one think it will be a movie about a cat fight. But it is far from it. I think the best acted role in this movie belongs to Matt Dillon, though.

The film portrays the trials (pun intended) of an American journalist who is jailed and then imprisoned for withholding the source of her article. Why? Because it involved matters of national security. Is national security more important than truth and integrity? The movie tries to explain why it is not by detailing how deep this is inscribed in the U.S. legislation. Basically, you can say whatever you want, just not what they don't want you to say.

Kate Beckinsale does a very good role, a bit airy and a bit brave. "A water walker", someone calls her character in the film. Best description ever :) David Schwimmer manages to be annoying in this one, as well.

Bottom line: a must see movie, however keep in mind that even if it based on the true story of Valerie Plame, it is very loosely so. Yet, without being American, my guess is that the legislation portrayed in the film exists and any reporter could and would go through the main character's ordeal if having enough backbone.

The great strength of films about investigative journalism often lies in the rising tension, the meticulous progression of a discovery, and the suffocating sense of danger. Nothing But the Truth takes a different approach. Instead of throwing us into a spiral of increasing revelations and unsettling suspense, it hands us the bomb right from the start: journalist Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) has the story ready, a national scoop revealing that the president ignored the findings of a CIA agent, and now the film follows her as her life unravels in the wake of the consequences of her publication.

It's a valid approach, of course, but inevitably less engaging for those who appreciate the weight of a thorough investigation and the unfolding of a growing mystery. Here, the game has already begun, and what remains for the viewer is to watch the protagonist struggle against a system that demands one non-negotiable thing from her: the revelation of her source. The issue is relevant, resonating with the debate over press freedom and professional confidentiality, but the film chooses to tell this story more through the lens of personal drama than through the tension of the legal or political conflict.

The narrative structure reinforces this focus by adopting a nearly diary-like format, highlighting Rachel's endless days in prison as her marriage collapses and her relationship with her son weakens. The intention is clear: to humanize her resistance, to make the audience feel every lost day due to her moral stubbornness. But was this the best approach? The drama works, but something is missing to make it truly impactful. Rachel's imprisonment could have been a suffocating hell, an overwhelming existential dilemma - but instead, the film takes a predictable path, lacking that unbearable sense of weight that would have made this journey memorable.

Furthermore, the film could have enriched its narrative by better exploring characters like the Special Prosecutor (Matt Dillon). He isn't a villain, just a man doing his job within the system - which, in itself, could have been an interesting point of conflict. But he remains functional, with no space for his perspective to be explored in a way that would have further challenged both the protagonist and the audience. What if we had seen a glimpse of hesitation in him? There is a clear choice to keep the drama centered on the journalist, without delving too much into the other players in this legal chess game.

The ending, however, partly compensates for the lack of impact, with a final ironic revelation about the source's identity. It's a nice touch, even though it doesn't resolve the feeling that the film was lacking a more intense energy, a more penetrating suspense. Nothing But the Truth is competent, with a solid script and effective performances, but its more sentimental and less investigative approach may not be for everyone. It's a film that fervently defends press freedom, but in the end, it feels like a highly important article that, out of fear of crossing boundaries, settles for merely skimming the surface. It lacked the boldness of a daring investigation, that scoop that turns an ordinary story into something unforgettable.

After a Presidential assassination attempt, he orders an attack against Venezuela. Columnist Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) writes that the President ignored CIA operative Erica Van Doren (Vera Farmiga) when ordering the attack. The media descends on Erica and her life is turned upside down. The government moves to force Rachel to name her secret source. She refuses and is jailed for contempt.

Of course, it's a ripped-from-the-headlines kind of story. They make sure to say that this is fictional. Writer/director Rod Lurie does a reasonable job but this has a bit too much TV movie feel. Maybe he should have not copied so much from the headlines. There are big enough actors involved but it needs big cinematic flourishes. I won't give any spoilers, but I do love the big reveal at the end.

I saw this film at a press screening last weekend. Wow! What an achievement. This story is masterfully executed, creating a lyrical and deeply affecting empathy with the film's lead character, played with Oscar-worthy precision and nuance by Kate Beckinsale. This film is truly about something, which isn't as common as I think we'd hope with movies. It has truly meaningful themes that are dramatized in an entertaining, emotional and often eloquent way. The acting is top-notch. The direction is confident.

I don't want to say much about the plot because it has some nice twists and touching moments that come from the organic development of the characters' relationships, their conflicts and their fight for what they believe in. This film is about principle. This film unapologetically stands for the power of our word and the example we set for our children. It's a must-see this Holiday season. It may only have a limited release due to complications experienced by its distributor, so get out now and see it! Don't just wait for DVD. This one is an outstanding experience in the presence of others because in many ways it's about what unites us when we believe in ourselves and the integrity of other.