Nothing but the Truth

R

Released Dec 17, 2008

1 hr. 47 min.

Drama

List

82%

61 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Compelling story with a lively screenplay. Unpredictable ending of a "quite true" fact involving a "professional" investigative journalist: An American Heroine ! Perfect Beckinsale's performance in a solid cast. Director Lurie in a great shape with an excellent cinematography. Two well spent hours !

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

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Rod Lurie

Director

Kate Beckinsale

Rachel Armstrong

Matt Dillon

Patton Dubois

Angela Bassett

Bonnie Benjamin

Vera Farmiga

Erica Van Doren

Alan Alda

Albert Burnside

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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

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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
Executive Producer: Dennis Brown, David Glasser, William J. Immerman, James Spies
Screenwriter: Rod Lurie
Distributor: Yari Film Group
Production Co: Yari Film Group, Battleplan Productions
Rating: R (Some Sexual Material|Language|A Scene of Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.0K

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