Nothing But the Truth
Inspired by true events. Kate Beckinsale and Academy Award nominee Matt Dillon lead an all-star cast in this volatile story about a Washington D.C. reporter who writes an explosive story about a government scandal in which she reveals the name of a covert CIA agent. Unexpectedly finding herself behind bars, she struggles to maintain her principles and relationship with her family when she refuses to divulge her source. Starring Academy Award nominees Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, Emmy Award nominee David Schwimmer, Golden Globe nominee Noah Wyle and Vera Farmiga (The Departed).
Member Reviews
skip it - adlib
an interesting premise, with pretty good acting, but the movie does not hold together. can and would the U.S. justice system go so far to get a reporter to reveal her source? the movie misses the political back story that is so important to the situation. and, finally, it fails miserably with its ending...just too silly given the important issues that are raised with this script. i suggest you skip this one.Good movie, but wrongly executed - Bigmoviefan
This movie poses some truly important questions about the rights of the journalist who is trying to protect a source, and the right of the government (and by inference, the public at large) which wants the source revealed. The actors all performed admirably. The problem with the movie is the reason for the story in the first place.
In this story, the identify of a CIA agent was revealed. My thought while I was watching it was why did the reporter feel it was necessary to reveal the agent's identity. If the reporter revealed the identity of a foreign spy, it would make sense. The national good and all that. To reveal a CIA agent's identity would only jeopardize this agent's and other agent's work on behalf of their country and possible risk their lives. There is no indication that this agent was doing reprehensible work in the foreign country. There is no wrong that is being righted with revealing the agent's identity. Therefore, the motivation appeared to be aggrandizing ones' self and career (the Pulitzer comes to mind) instead of defending the public's right to know. Once that is concluded, the balance of the movie including all her suffering becomes self-indulgent and unnecessary.
The reported was in a position of trust with the source. Therefore the reporting of the information given is a violation of this trust.
The journalist's situation would be more sympathetic if the story that she reported was one that needed to be told. Perhaps she should be reporting on who revealed the identity of the real-life CIA agent Valerie Plame to Judith Miller.The Price Of Principles - revsdd
If what you're looking for is an edge of your seat action/adventure spy thriller then this movie will disappoint you. It's inspired by (although not "based on") the story of Valerie Plame, the former under-cover CIA agent who was outed by the US administration in retaliation for its disagreements with her diplomat husband. In this story, the outed CIA agent is Erica Van Doren (played by Vera Farmiga) who gets outed by reporter Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale), with tragic consequences all around.
Although it's not "exciting" in the typical sense of the word, this movie is interesting - even fascinating. It raises significant questions. How far do you go and how much do you give up in order to avoid compromising your principles? In Armstrong's case, she went a long way: going to jail, alienating her young son, losing her husband. The other fascinating question is how far the government (represented here by rabid special prosecutor Patton Dubois, played by Matt Dillon) should go to try to force reporters to identify sources, and the stifling affect that would have on the principle of freedom of the press. The principles are important, and the performances were great - in addition to those I mentioned already, I'd note especially David Schwimmer as Rachel's husband Ray (his sometimes irritating typical hangdog look is perfect in this role) as well as Alan Alda as Rachel's lawyer Alan Burnside.
The most powerful moment in the movie is the last scene, which finally reveals the source. I won't give it away, but I never even thought of the possibility even though it was there all along. Great movie.
Member Reviews
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skip it - adlib
an interesting premise, with pretty good acting, but the movie does not hold together. can and would the U.S. justice system go so far to get a reporter to reveal her source? the movie misses the political back story that is so important to the situation. ...Good movie, but wrongly executed - Bigmoviefan
This movie poses some truly important questions about the rights of the journalist who is trying to protect a source, and the right of the government (and by inference, the public at large) which wants the source revealed. The actors all performed admirably. ...The Price Of Principles - revsdd
If what you're looking for is an edge of your seat action/adventure spy thriller then this movie will disappoint you. It's inspired by (although not "based on") the story of Valerie Plame, the former under-cover CIA agent who was outed by the US administration ...