★★★★☆

Nothing But the Truth is one fine movie. You can watch it for free on Plex. While this is just a screenplay it is inspired by the case of journalist Judith Miller, who in July 2005 was jailed for contempt of court for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury investigating a leak naming Valerie Plame as a covert CIA operative. This is not an action flick yet it managed to pull me in.

Kate Beckinsale just has a quality about her. Even though I own all of the Underworld DVDs, I didn’t recognize her in this movie. Here she is incredibly believable as a loving mom that happens to be a journalist by trade. Volunteering to be the class mom on school trips, putting up with squabbling kids while holding down a real job.

Matt Dillon has a brief but central role in this movie. He plays the hot-shot prosecutor who can crack anyone. Matt was huge in the 1980s. The Outsiders will live forever. Given all of the movies he did then, we kind of grew up together.

Any time you can get Alan Alda to be in a movie it is usually good. As a kid I watched Mash. I own all of the DVDs for The West Wing. Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, you really should check him out in Same Time Next Year.

Incredibly Believable

Those of you who are familiar with the dramas above (not Underworld, it’s Sci-Fi) know that they have the following in common:

  • Phenom writing
  • Fantastic acting – especially knowing when not to act

Too many actors “act” in front of a camera. The don’t disappear into character and become part of the moment. We don’t have that problem in Nothing But the Truth. We don’t have big special effects or large action scenes. These are people just going through their lives doing their jobs.

Massive Hook

I don’t want to steal the thunder. Kate’s character spends about a year in prison refusing to give up her source. A true role model for anyone with the audacity to call themselves a journalist. Unlike the Valerie Plame story, she doesn’t crack.

Thankfully, after it’s all over they do tell us. I would have gone insane otherwise. No, I’m not going to spoil it for you.

For more movie rental ideas please see list one and list two.