NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

US, 2008, 108 minutes, Colour.
Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Angela Bassett, Alan Alda, Vera Farmiga, David Schwimmer, Courtney B. Vance, Noah Wyle, Preston Bailey, Floyd Abrams.
Directed by Rod Lurie.

Nothing But The Truth is a very interesting film. In the light of Fair Game, the actual story of Valerie Plame and her being outed as a CIA agent, this film offers a speculative variation on the theme. This time the focus is on the reporter exposing secrets rather than on the agent.

Kate Beckinsale, in a very fine performance, appears as the ambitious journalist who finds a scoop and follows it through. It leads to tensions in the family with her husband (David Schwimmer) and her being jailed. She remains steadfast, experiencing a long time in jail without revealing the source of her story. There is a surprise ending, quite harrowing in its implications at the end. It reinforces the integrity of the journalist and her choices.

Vera Farmiga is very good as the agent, trying to live her ordinary life, be a mother, but also be out in the field and give advice to government. The scenes between the two women, with their differing stances, are very strong, especially since the bond between them is that their two daughters are at school together. Angela Bassett appears as Beckinsale’s boss.

From the legal point of view, Matt Dillon has a very strong role as a lawyer on behalf of the government, needling, insulting, standing his ground, being overpowering as the investigating attorney, determined to bring the journalist down. Noah Wyle appears also as a lawyer as does Alan Alda who is given a fine speech at the end about the legal implications behind the story.

The film raises the issues of journalistic ethics and the implications of not revealing sources for stories, even when national security is involved.

The film was written and directed by Rod Lurie who made the interesting film about a presidential candidate caught in a moral dilemma, The Contender, as well as the film about the journalist and the homeless man who turns out to have acquired somebody else’s identity, resurrecting The Champ.

1. The title, expectations, as applied to journalistic ethics?

2. Journalists, the truth, the nature of reporting, the question of public interest, the question of national security, sources for stories? The rights of the journalist? The First Amendment?

3. The screenplay, the director’s experience as a journalist? Audience sympathies, Rachel and her stance? Erica and the threat of exposure and the consequences?

4. The Washington settings, homes, schools, the courts, prison? Musical score?

5. The introduction, the issue in Venezuela, the role of the president, the coup, the advice against the attack, the attack itself? The reaction of the president, advisers? The vindictive government action, the issues of foreign policy, investigations and the CIA?

6. The film made and released at the time of the final year of the Bush administration?

7. Kate Beckinsale as Rachel, her success, her work with Bonnie Benjamin, the arts, the editor and her intervention? The important story, the truth, the fact that the story was correct? Legal issues, the discussions in editorial, the warnings? The contrast with her home life, Ray as a writer, Tim and his love for his mother? The school, and the chance encounters with Erica at school?

8. Erica, her work, the consequences of the exposure? With Rachel? The meetings, the discussions, flaring up, the circumstances, the consequences? Erica and her respect for Rachel and her sources?

9. Patton Dubois, in himself, his style, slick, taking Rachel at the school? The interview? His stances, manner? The defence lawyer and the contrast in personalities? Alan Burnside? The judge, the hearing? The continuing case, the decisions, the action, the deal possibilities, the threats?

10. Avril and his work? Burnside and his status, with Rachel? The interactions with Dubois? The role of the judge, interventions? The visits to prison, advice, confidentiality? The issue of persons and principles? Ray and his not being able to cope?

11. Rachel, her age, experience, the strength of her marriage, the weakness? Her skill, ambitions for a Pulitzer, the article? Her acknowledging the risks? The discussions with Bonnie Benjamin? Ray and his reactions? The visits to prison, Tim? The hearing, Rachel in prison?

12. The prison sequences, the expected routines, the life, the indication of the days with the captions, the guards, confiscating her property, the other prisoners, talk? Watching television, her being bashed, her being prepared to stay no matter what? The harshness of prison life?

13. The build-up to the television interview, her telling the truth, the interview being edited?

14. Ray, his weakness, the feeling of the threats, with the woman? The truth? Tim and Rachel not wanting him to come to the prison? The custody issues? The last visit? The repercussions of the television interview and the way that it was handled, people’s interpretation of her?

15. Erica, her daughter, her marriage, her husband? The school? The build-up to the interrogation? The suddenness of her assassination?

16. The situation in the United States, national security, the rights issues? Burnside and his speech in court? Accountability?

17. The affidavits, the CIA, the hearing and the flashbacks?

18. The finale for Rachel? Serving her term? The consequences for her life? - and the final flashback, the revelation of the source, Erica’s daughter and the party, her not realising what had happened? Her asking for Rachel’s confidence and Rachel offering it?