The film explores themes of press freedom, national security, and personal ethics.[4] Although the plot draws from actual events, Lurie has emphasized that the characters and narrative are fictional, shaped primarily by his interest in the moral dilemmas facing journalists in the Post-9/11 era. Principal photography took place in Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., with courtroom and newsroom settings designed to evoke a heightened sense of realism.[4]
Nothing but the Truth premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2008, where it received favorable reviews for its performances, direction, and topical relevance. Despite plans for a theatrical release in the United States in December 2008, the film was ultimately released direct-to-DVD due to financial difficulties faced by its distributor, Yari Film Group.[4]
Plot
Following an assassination attempt on U.S. President Lyman, the government retaliates by bombing Venezuela, claiming the country orchestrated the attack. Rachel Armstrong, a reporter for the Capital Sun-Times in Washington, D.C., prepares to publish a story alleging that the administration deliberately misled the public and Congress. Her article reveals that a CIA operative had reported Venezuela's non-involvement and identifies the agent as Erica Van Doren, whose daughter attends the same school as Armstrong's son.
Although Van Doren refuses to comment when approached by Armstrong, her reaction confirms her identity. Armstrong publishes the story with the support of her editor and legal counsel. In response, federal prosecutor Patton Dubois launches a grand jury investigation to identify Armstrong's source. When Armstrong refuses to reveal the name, she is jailed for contempt of court. Despite the efforts of her attorney, Albert Burnside, she remains imprisoned for several months.
Amid growing political and public scrutiny, Van Doren is murdered by a gunman outside her home. Armstrong's continued refusal to testify causes strain in her personal life and financial hardship for the newspaper. Her appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court fails in a narrow 5–4 decision, which upholds national security concerns over press freedom.
Eventually, the presiding judge rules that continued incarceration serves no purpose and orders Armstrong's release. However, Dubois has her immediately re-arrested and charged with obstruction of justice. To avoid trial, Armstrong agrees to a plea deal involving a two-year sentence with the possibility of parole.
As she is transported to prison, Armstrong recalls a school field trip during which Van Doren's daughter, Alison, had casually revealed her mother's government affiliation and recent trip to Venezuela. This memory confirms that Alison was the true source of the information, and Armstrong's silence had been to protect a child, not a government official.
Attorney Floyd Abrams, who had represented The New York Times and journalist Judith Miller during the grand jury investigation concerning the Valerie Plame affair, served as a legal consultant on Nothing but the Truth. Director and screenwriter Rod Lurie, impressed by Abrams' demeanor and insight during the production process, cast him in the role of Judge Hall. This marked a rare screen appearance for Abrams, whose real-life legal background informed the film's depiction of press freedom and judicial proceedings.
Despite its lack of a theatrical release in the United States, Nothing but the Truth was distributed in select international markets. It grossed a total of $409,832 at the foreign box office, with its largest market being Italy, where it earned $223,130.[1]
Critical response
Although the film did not receive a wide theatrical release, it was screened for critics, several of whom published reviews. On the review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, Nothing but the Truth holds an approval rating of 82% based on 60 reviews, with an average rating of 6.76/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "A well-crafted political thriller, Nothing but the Truth features a strong cast that helps the real-life drama make an effortless transition to the big screen."[8] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 64 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[9]
Manohla Dargis of The New York Times described the film as "confusing", noting that it "mixes familiar plot points with some grievous nonsense," although she praised the performances of Kate Beckinsale and Vera Farmiga.[10] Sam Adams of the Los Angeles Times criticized the film for its approach to the subject matter, stating that it was "pasted together like a ransom note", and questioned what the film was ultimately trying to say.[11]
In contrast, Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers gave the film three out of four stars, praising the performances and Lurie's direction. He wrote, "Lurie is expert at springing surprises and getting the best out of a first-rate cast," adding that "Lurie has crafted a different kind of thriller, one with a mind and a heart."[12]Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded the film 3.5 out of four stars in his review of the DVD release, calling it "a finely crafted film of people and ideas" and noting its respect for audience intelligence and emotional depth.[13]
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