Nothing But the Truth (Rod Lurie, 2008): USA

Reviewed by Jason Sanders. Viewed at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Many movies have been based on historic events that centered on freedom in many different ways.  Rod Lurie presents a film entitled Nothing But the Truth that presents the right of the first amendment.  Over the years I have seen many movies that deal with rights to the people, but this is a first that I have seen about a writers first amendment rights that was so powerful and moving.

In this film, we are introduced to Rachel Armstrong, played very well by Kate Beckinsale, who is a journalist who intends to write about a C.I.A operative who is ignored by the president of the united states, who is shot. After the article has been written and published, this sends Armstrong into a world of chaos for her and her family.  We are then introduced to Patton Dubois, played by Matt Dillon, who’s main goal is to simply find the source of Armstrong’s story.  The film gets heavy and dramatic when Armstrong refuses to give up her source due to the confidentiality between the two.  Armstrong is then faced with jail time, and choices that will affect her, her son, and everyone involved.  

I try to stray away from one actor in particular when it comes to movies, but Kate Beckinsale carried the movie on her shoulders through her emotions and changes throughout the film.  Not only does Beckinsale deliver a strong performance, she is surrounded by actors who are in supporting roles that also perform so strongly, each character provides and contributes something different to the film.  David Schwimmer is by far the surprise of the film.  His character provides such an impact on Armstrong that it echoes during the movie, and is shown the huge contrast that his character goes through. 

This movie is a must see, and should be taken in as a lesson that a lot of people might not have known.  It is great how Lurie demonstrates a different side of the first amendment that many people might not know or see in their lifetime.  Nothing But the Truth delivers everything a movie has to offer: drama, comedy, romance, thrill, and suspense.