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Nothing but the Truth

Play trailer Poster for Nothing but the Truth R 2008 1h 47m Drama Mystery & Thriller Crime 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.
Nothing but the Truth

What to Know

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 09/12/2017
A-
... 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... Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 05/01/2009
3.5/4
A finely-crafted film of people and ideas, of the sort more common before the movie mainstream became a sausage factory. Go to Full Review Ann Hornaday Washington Post 04/28/2009
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. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 09/05/2023
3.5/4
The moral and patriotic complexity of [Lurie's] subject lingers long after the end credits. Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens 11/13/2019
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. Go to Full Review Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media 08/27/2019
3/5
Writer jailed protecting source; strong language, violence. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jelisije J @jjosifovic Jul 19 The movie asks the moral question should a government criminalize people for doing basic journalism if the journalist source breaks national security? The reveal of the source was terrible though which took away half a star for me. See more G D @Cibon May 17 The entire ensemble was terrific. The story was compelling and maintained my interest all the way through. The mood of the film fit the subject matter. And what an ending! See more Stoner J. @Stoner Mar 22 A pretty dang good political thriller See more Garry A @heavyg 07/22/2025 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. See more nick s @Nick_S 05/01/2025 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. See more Laurie S @Karlwinters 04/23/2023 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! See more Read all reviews
Nothing but the Truth

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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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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Nothing but the Truth

Nothing but the Truth (2008) Nothing but the Truth (2008) Nothing but the Truth (2008) David Schwimmer (center) as Ray Armstrong and Kate Beckinsale as Rachel Armstrong in "Nothing but the Truth." View more photos

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
Battleplan Productions, Yari Film Group
Rating
R (Language|A Scene of Violence|Some Sexual Material)
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Crime
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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