Nothing but the Truth

Play trailer

Nothing but the Truth

R

Released Dec 17, 2008

1h 47m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

Garry A

It started out compelling but the longer she was in jail the story started feeling competitive and I was wondering when the movie was going to end.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

Full Review

nick s

Great casting with excellent performances from all the actors. The character conflict was ambiguous so you weren't sure if you should really be rooting for the protagonist. The antagonists had fair arguments. That's a nice bit of story crafting. The simple plot was a bit overstretched and I wanted it to move along faster. I also felt that the end reveal, while thoughtful, was not completely logical.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Rod Lurie

Director

Kate Beckinsale

Rachel Armstrong

Matt Dillon

Patton Dubois

Angela Bassett

Bonnie Benjamin

Vera Farmiga

Erica Van Doren

Alan Alda

Albert Burnside

A Mighty Heart

79%

70%

A Mighty Heart

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Mighty Heart

Winged Creatures

45%

29%

Winged Creatures

Watchlist

Crossed Tracks

86%

76%

Crossed Tracks

Watchlist

The Advocate

82%

52%

The Advocate

Watchlist

The Walker

55%

28%

The Walker

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Broadcast Film Critics Name Critics’ Choice Winners

Five Favorite Films with Director Rod Lurie

View more photos

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: Battleplan Productions, Yari Film Group
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