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Nothing but the Truth

Play trailer Poster for Nothing but the Truth R Released Dec 17, 2008 1h 47m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 61 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
When reporter Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) writes a story that reveals the identity of a covert CIA operative, the government demands that Rachel reveal her source. She defies the special prosecutor (Matt Dillon) and is thrown in jail. Meanwhile, her attorney, Albert Burnside (Alan Alda) argues her case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Critics Consensus

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.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online ... it's interesting to see the story from the viewpoint of a female journalist--one whose capabilities as a mother, a wife and a law-abiding citizen are constantly questioned... Rated: A- Sep 12, 2017 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times A finely-crafted film of people and ideas, of the sort more common before the movie mainstream became a sausage factory. Rated: 3.5/4 May 1, 2009 Full Review Ann Hornaday Washington Post Every once in a while, for reasons as random as a Hollywood executive's taste or an economic meltdown, a perfectly decent movie slips through the cracks, never receives a theatrical release and is relegated to the purgatory called straight-to-DVD. Apr 28, 2009 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The moral and patriotic complexity of [Lurie's] subject lingers long after the end credits. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 5, 2023 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Intelligently written. Potent performances. Superlative gripping story. A principled film that speaks soberly and passionately about standing up for one's principles; be it a soccer mom, CIA agent or reporter. Nov 13, 2019 Full Review Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media Writer jailed protecting source; strong language, violence. Rated: 3/5 Aug 27, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mike J Decent enough movie, BUT Kate’s character is the bad guy. She intentionally ruined the life of a CIA agent when doing so was unnecessary. She put the lives US citizens at risk for her own personal gain. She deserved to spend time in prison. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/03/24 Full Review Laurie S Beckinsale shows her scale of acting to the full in this role. Marshall Dillon plays a faciast US government official hell-bent on preventing freedom of speech backed by an oppressive right-wing US legal system. When it comes down to condoning a system where a journalist is persecuted because she doesn't wish to reveal her source who in turn could be in danger of their lives then we might as well all give up and join up with a dictatorship regime. Swimmer plays an 'a'hole unsupportive husband who doesn't give a shi'te about her. God Bless America! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/23/23 Full Review steve d No easy answers here but it is an interesting ride. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Jean-Michel C I am asking the entire "entertainment community" this simple question: Why didn't Kate Beckinsale get an Oscar for this movie? Why? Please give me a good reason. I've seen a lot of movies, so many moved me, or made me feel happy, or made me laugh, or thrilled me, or made me cry so much that I would call them masterpieces. But this one stands out from all the rest. Intent is not to make us laugh, or cry, or feel happy, or shudder (I mean, actually, yes, it does a bit) or else. Intent is to have us ask ourselves the right questions and find the right answers. Thank you Kate, that's a hell of a job, you definitely earned the right to entertain us all as much as you see fit, forever. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/14/22 Full Review isla s This is quite a witty, thoughtful (if slow paced) drama. Its an interesting story, although I did feel it was perhaps a little sentimental, not that the story didn't warrant it to a set extent but I felt it was overly cliched in one or two regards, with the columnist shown reading books to many children in a library setting - it felt a little too forced on some ocassions, with slow, weepy piano music played etc. Also, it may frustrate some that as a viewer we're kept in the dark about some of the finer details of what happened. That aside, I thought the cast did well - indeed I did find myself wondering what I may do if I found myself in anywhere near a similar situation. This is mostly a moral, part court based drama - its not an action film but it seemed to me a fairly decent and compelling watch, which is somewhat memorable and there were some instances of witty dialogue, so I would recommend it on that basis. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A well made movie in which the lead characters are mostly convincing in their roles. The end of the movie seemed a bit rushed and left man questions unanswered. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Nothing but the Truth

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis When reporter Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) writes a story that reveals the identity of a covert CIA operative, the government demands that Rachel reveal her source. She defies the special prosecutor (Matt Dillon) and is thrown in jail. Meanwhile, her attorney, Albert Burnside (Alan Alda) argues her case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Director
Rod Lurie
Producer
Marc Frydman, Bob Yari, Ransom Richard Owen, Rod Lurie
Screenwriter
Rod Lurie
Distributor
Yari Film Group
Production Co
Yari Film Group, Battleplan Productions
Rating
R (Language|A Scene of Violence|Some Sexual Material)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 17, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.0K
Runtime
1h 47m
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