Nothing But the Truth (2008) :: SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board

Apparently this one was barely released due to the distributor going bankrupt.  Damn shame, because it's great.

Nothing But the Truth is an emotionally powerful political thriller written and directed by Rod Lurie, who I know best for his similarly-themed (and similarly excellent) 2000 film The Contender, starring Joan Allen.  Others may know him as that douche who directed a remake of a Straw Dogs, and what was he thinking.

The film's premise is very simple: a reporter writes an article which reveals confidential information, and is subsequently bullied by the government to reveal her source.  The entire film hinges on her refusal to betray the principle of confidentiality, even as her life begins to crumble around her.

The cast is uniformly excellent, and Matt Dillon, who's somewhat hit-or-miss for me, is at the top of his game as the main antagonist.  It's Kate Beckinsale in the lead, and Vera Farmiga in a supporting role as a CIA operative exposed by the article, though, that truly shine.  Both characters' lives are torn apart in the ensuing political battle, and the combination of dogged perseverance and human fragility on display from both actors is impressive and engaging.  The character tortured for his or her principles is a challenging and well-worn role, but Beckinsale carries it off beautifully.  Sometimes those Underworld flicks make it easy to forget what a great actor she is.

The tone of the script is nice.  It's a very reserved script in many ways, and a reserved film, in that it deals with very large issues in a quiet and somewhat impersonal manner.  While the driving force of the story, and probably the most engaging element, is the human drama, there's some very pertinent discussion of journalism, sexism, first amendment rights, and so on which emerges very naturally within the story.  However, the film remains committed to its character's story, and it rarely (if ever) feels as though the writer is grandstanding or the film isn't telling the story that it set out to.

I like the way Rod Lurie shoots; nice and simple.  He has kind of an Alan Pakula approach to some of the more dramatic scenes, and makes excellent use of steadicam during key moments.  There's a motif of hand CUs, which feels a bit Boston Legal, but they're used appropriately.

For an emotionally engaging and entertaining political thriller, this is up there for me.  Recommended.

And The Contender, again, is as good or better.  Also very highly recommended.