Nothing But the Truth

Plot synopsis:
Robert Bennett (Richard Dix) is a stockbroker who is very carefree with other people's money. Encouraging clients to buy stocks in companies that are failing is all in a day's work to him. His fiancée Gwenn Burke (Dorothy Hall) has to raise $40,000 for a charity project, comes to him with $10,000 to invest from her charity group, and wants him to double it within five days.
Meanwhile, E. M. Burke (Berton Churchill), Frank Connelly (Louis John Bartels), and Clarence Van Dyke (Ned Sparks) bet Bennett they will pay him each $10,000 if he tells the truth for 24 hours. The men later go to a nightclub where they meet Sabel and Mabel Jackson (Wynne Gibson and Helen Kane), who are a gold-digging sister act.
Mabel Jackson sings Do Something. After the show, the sisters ask Burke to back their show for them. They are determined to hold Burke to his promise to finance their idea for a show. and won't take No for an answer. They hold all the cards, as they have managed to enter Burke's home and refuse to leave without the cash. Burke's wife Mrs. Burke (Madeline Grey) learns from Robert that her husband had promised to back the Sisters' show. which makes his wife furious. Robert asks every question truthfully, before the 24 hours are over. His fiancée Dorothy asks him if he loves her and what he had done with all the money, he tells her the answer without telling a lie. Around 4pm, Robert has won the money by telling the truth.

Tags: murder, storytelling, flashback

Review:
The fact that writer and director Rod Lurie spent 13 years in the newspaper business is evident throughout, making for one of the most compelling and believable portrayals of what it is like to be a political reporter for a major newspaper since All the President's Men. Kate Beckinsale (the reporter) and Vera Farmiga (as the CIA operative) are outstanding and each delivers an Oscar-worthy performance.
I must say Nothing But The Truth has exceeded my expectations many times over.Based on a true story, the basic plot line has close focus on a reporter of a Washington D.C. major newspaper Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) who after writing an article on the US president's actions revealing the identity of a secret CIA agent Erica Van Doren (Vera Farmiga) is being pressured to reveal her secret source by the government in such ways she could never have imagined.The story flows flawlessly, picks up nicely and slowly drags you into a twist of controversial emotions, drawing the characters with all their pros and cons and letting you slowly get acquainted with their moral inner fights.Beckinsale and Farmiga have a great energy between them that will have you forget you're watching a movie and catch your breath at the few scenes at which they confront each other.
He is the second billing in this film, right behind Kate Beckinsale, also starring Vera Farmiga, Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, and David Schwimmer.The film is about Rachel Armstrong, a reporter (Beckinsale) who has written the story of her life: a military coup by the United States on a South American country was a lie, a Watergate, an operation that could get a president impeached.
The well selected cast includes Kate Beckinsale as the brave reporter, Vera Farminga as the outed CIA operative, David Schwimmer as Beckinsale's frightened husband, Matt Dillon as the government henchman assigned to get Beckinsale to reveal her source and Alan Alda as the lawyer who supports Beckinsale's stance (his speech before the Supreme Court will be remembered as some of the finest and most gripping writing in years).
Sam Lurie wrote and directed this engrossing film with the good sense to not hammer the audience over the head with the fairly obvious comparisons to the shenanigans of the Bush/Cheney administration, leaving the evidence in plain sight that when the President decides what can and can't be known to the public - in the name of 'homeland security' - our constitutional rights and even our democratic form of government is at stake.
Championing justice and the high price of integrity, conviction and principle, he takes a page from today's headlines and makes it his own with a story involving a top notch journalist and an exposed undercover CIA operative and the the fight to protect not only a source but the values of motherhood, family, privacy and the right to know.Kate Beckinsale is mesmerizing as Rachel Armstrong.
Having just seen Farmiga as a devoted loving WWII mother in "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas", I was blown away by her tough as nails, hard core performance as Van Doren which she balanced with a carefully toned maternal edge; an act equaling that of Beckinsale's maternal double edged sword.As if the women aren't reason enough to be on the edge of your seat with Lurie's taut script, enter Noah Wylie, Matt Dillon and Alan Alda.
Meanwhile, Lurie has returned to his original combination of preoccupations for "Nothing But The Truth", the film that will, if there is any justice in the world (and at the box-office), arc his reputation from cult indie filmmaker for the educated-elite into the most important mainstream movie maker in the business, able to entertain with edge of your seat suspense while quietly informing you about the most important elements in our society.Clearly, "Nothing But The Truth" was inspired by the Valerie Plame/Judy Miller incident: the film focuses on a curious relationship that develops between a reporter (Kate Beckinsale) and a spy (Vera Farmiga) when the former "outs" the latter in a newspaper story.
But don't think for one moment that this turns out to be some dry 'message movie.' "Nothing But The Truth" plays as a Hitchcockian thriller, right down to the twist ending that makes a mainstream viewer want to go back and watch the movie over again, just to try and spot the hints of what is in store for us at the conclusion so as to try and grasp how we "never saw it coming" even though Lurie prepared us every inch of the way.
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.
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.
The star studded cast of Matt Dillon, Alan Alda and Kate Bechinsale brings out the qualities that was needed to make this type of film truly majestic.The intense vigor of how the prosecuting attorney played by Matt Dillon, (which I first thought was going to be way out of character for him, but he pulled it off so effectively that he now has a new fan), actually attacks our protagonist is so real and matter of fact.Being based on a true story helps in the matter of believability and the injustice of our justice system.8/10.
We never really know who the "bad guys" are in the film, which seems to suck even more impact from the presence of Kate Beckinsale's "good guy." Lurie seems to suggest that Matt Dillon's independent prosecutor character is the villain, but if that's the case then there's absolutely nothing to discover in the film.
It strikes me that "Nothing But the Truth" is exactly the kind of unfocused film and script that he would have once devoted an entire radio show to fry.I won't reveal the ending, but suffice to say that it is beyond contrived to think that a major news story would be based on this source.
"Deep Throat" this source ain't.Truly, watching this silly film made me feel a lot like the Matt Dillon character's futile attempts to get Rachel Armstrong to reveal her source.
Vera Farmiga was vera good playing the ousted CIA operative Erica Van Doren; Alan Alda was commanding as the amending counsel Burnside; David Schwimmer was great as Rachel's lover Roz (oops wrong Schwimmer acting pool), I mean as Rachel's husband Ray; Angela Basset was her usual respectable Basset case as the supportive editor Bonnie; Noah Wyle had some E.R.
this film certainly poses some ethical and moral questions,and it also entertains.the acting is first rate,especially by Kate Beckinsale,who is decidedly unglamorous in this role.hers was the meatiest role of the whole cast and i think she acquitted herself quite well.Vera Farmiga was also good,but in a smaller role.Matt Dillon was adequate in a small role.I like Angela Bassett,but i thought her role could have been expanded.Noah Wiley though really impressed,in a small,but important role,as did David Schwimmer.i loved the subtlety of the ending,which i never saw coming.i thought it was genius.for me,Nothing But the Truth is a 7/10.
The journalist, Rachel Armstrong (played well by Kate Beckinsale) refuses to reveal her source of information as to who blew the cover of the CIA undercover agent, who happens to be another woman, Erica (Vera Farmiga).
This is surely among the better Crime thriller movies out there, featuring some well executed performances from Kate Beckinsale and Matt Dillon, as well as good, strong dialogue, and most importantly, a question on the nature and morality of the relationship shared by the governments and the press, and the conflicts that arise out of them.
I was engrossed enough to find myself frustrated by 'Rachel's' decisions and the story is definitely thought provoking, with Kate Beckinsale playing a principled investigative journalist in Washington DC who writes a story that outs a CIA operative and winds up going to jail for not revealing her source.There's an excellent cast attached here(Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, David Schwimmer, Matt Dillon, Noah Wyle, Vera Farmiga) all giving good performances and the ending provided a twist that totally surprised me and explained why she couldn't give up her source, because all along I'd been thinking; you're losing everything, your marriage, son, career and nobody cares anymore what for.
Greetings from Lithuania.This is why i think "Nothing But the Truth" is a good movie:Kate Beckinsale gives probable her best performance yet.The story is involving, even if your not interesting in politics and live on the other side of the world, but principles and experiences are the same.Alan Alda and other supporting cast gives good performances.
From the first few minutes of this thriller, however, which depicts a presidential assassination to the film's final surprise, this is a gripping story of a woman who follows the dictates of her conscience, who even knowing she might lose her family, chooses to stand up for constitutional rights even with the pressure of powerful government organizations levied against her.
Kate Beckinsale is a journalist who won't reveal her source in "Nothing But the Truth," a 2008 film also starring Matt Dillon, David Schwimmer, Alan Alda, Vera Farmiga, and Noah Wylie.Beckinsale plays Rachel Armstrong, a journalist for the Washington Sun who outs a CIA operative, Erica Van Doren (Farmiga), another soccer mom like herself.
and Nixon, but about the excellent filmmaker who took dry premises and told fascinating stories, such as the ones from JFK, Natural Born Killers, Born on the Fourth of July and Wall Street, out of them.Like Stone, Lurie has been keeping a low profile on recent years, but most of his films (Deterrance, The Contender and now Nothing But the Truth) have that intense energy and tenacious conviction which make them hypnotic, substantial and hugely entertaining.Nothing But the Truth was unfortunately not exhibited in cinemas from the United States due to economical problems from its distributor.Luckily, its release on DVD will give it more diffusion to benefit itself and the audience, because this is a fascinating political thriller, which has an emotive human centre and lacks of partisanship, and in which the ambiguous politics from the North American government stop being abstract words in order to become into tangible situations which affect the lives from many people.On the beginning of Nothing But the Truth, we are informed that the story is fictitious; however, it is clear that it is inspired on the real case of Judith Miller, a reporter from The New York Times who was imprisoned for not revealing the source which reported Valerie Plame as a secret agent from the CIA.In fact, I had never understood the relevance of that news, but Nothing But the Truth considerably helped me to understand its meaning and consequences.Whatever the way it is, I dare to say that Lurie used the Miller-Plame case as an excuse to build a tense story in which the eternal disjunctive between national security and individual freedom is examined.Even though it is easy to feel on the side from the main character of Nothing But the Truth, the movie refuses to bring us an easy solution, because it is evident the government must protect the secrets which may favor the "political elite", but which obliquely also protect the population, who live their ordinary existence without noticing the disgusting decisions required to keep it safe from internal and external threatens.On that level, Nothing But the Truth is incredibly honest and real.The only fail I found on this movie is that the ending is a bit predictable.However, that does not avoid me from recommending this fascinating and intelligent political thriller which has many layers under its surface, at the same time it offers excellent performances from Kate Beckinsale, Vera Farmiga and Alan Alda and solid direction from a filmmaker who has already consecrated himself as a provocative but fair voice in the contemporary ideological cinema..
Its a story of Beckinsale's character's resolve under extremely trying situations to stand by her principle losing her family, locked away in the prison, thinning gratitude by her employer and to add to this all a special prosecutor in Matt Dillon who is willing to go to any lengths to get the details of the source.
But even the newspaper bosses start thinking twice when the corrupt judge, agreeing with every single thing the special prosecutor wants, fines the newspaper $10000 a day till Rachel talks.The movie does a good job presenting the viciousness of government once someone ends up in their sights.
Alan Alda is hilarious as the ostentatious supposedly expert attorney on free speech but who's in reality more interested in Zegna suits and fancy watches.The surprise at the end about who the source is was effective but it upends the entire movie making it all pointless--the whole trial and suffering but also the whole reporter's stance which was supposed to be on principle.
This has now entered into one of the best films I've ever seen.With an a very well constructed story, very strong dialogue, fantastic casting and great performances.This film is exceedingly important and plays an integral part on so many levels.The reviewers who claimed the ending was flawed certainly missed the entire scope of the story...in-fact, the ending made it more important than if it had been an inside government leak.This movie surpasses almost every other movie about government corruption and conspiracy and does so with conviction and skilled story telling and brilliant performances from everybody on every level.I'm glad that there are people who have the principles to stand up to this kind of pressure to protect others beliefs, rights and identities, without thinking of how it may place themselves in danger..
The ending in my opinion completely ruined the film because it makes no sense whatsoever;there was absolutely no need for the reporter to protect her "source" because she was at all times fully protected by the law in any event.I give it 5 for the acting and direction but I would never watch it again and I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.Shame..
Vera Farmiga's character was probably the most interesting one, and she did a great job.while this movie is obviously based on the Judith Miller/Valerie Plame thing, the plot does diverge from that story so it isn't just a dramatization.
What is worrisome is not that people with power can many a time tend to abuse it; if they are smart enough with a focused presence of mind and just a tad a lucky, they can get away with it for the long haul.And yet, if you matter-of-factly have a real big picture mindset, if you were gullible enough to buy the story that you are your character which is defined by a set of principles, and if you have enough naiveté to act against your fears because you think you have no choice, you might end up contributing to a different manual - the one that shows you how to use these two very effectively and consistently: Integrity and Accountability.
See it if you enjoy 'Law & Order,' on TV.'Nothing but the Truth' was inspired by the story of Judith Miller, the New York Times reporter who in 2005 went to jail for 85 days because she refused to reveal her source for an article she'd written in connection with the Valerie Plame affair.
These are some of the questions that are being asked in Nothing But the Truth, the 2008 film directed by Rod Lurie.Despite the disclaimer that starts the film the story is obviously inspired by a true case and the lead character by a true person – Judith Miller, a New York Times reporter who served 85 days in prison for refusing to name her source in a case where the name of a government agent was made public.
The story tells about political reporter Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) getting under pressure to disclose the source of the information she published about the real identity of a CIA agent, actually a whistle-blower whose revelations are covered up.
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.
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.
Apparently based on a number of true stories, but not a true story itself, "Nothing but the Truth" is a film about a reporter who outs a CIA agent and subsequently gets thrown in jail for refusing to reveal her source.With a strong cast made up of Kate Beckinsale (as said reporter), Oscar-nominees Vera Farmiga, Matt Dillon and Angela Bassett and Alan Alda and "Friend"'sDavid Schwimmer, you'd expect a pretty damn good film that probably got a fair amount of publicity.In reality, chances are you've never even heard of this film.
Even Alan Alda (minus a fine little speech before the Supreme Court) gets to basically fail in defending his client.His client is Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) a journalist who finds herself in contempt of court for not revealing her source for a story on the outing of a CIA agent.
Nothing but the Truth is a drama that features Kate Beckinsale,Matt Dillon,Vera Farmiga,David Schwimmer,Angela Bassett and Alan Alda.