IMDb > Nothing But the Truth (2008)
Nothing But the Truth
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Nothing But the Truth (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 12 | slideshow) Videos (see all 15)
Nothing But the Truth (2008) -- Reporter Rachel Armstrong (Beckinsale) is handed a jail sentence for refusing to name her source, a covert CIA operative, for her article on a American missile attack against Venezuela.
Nothing But the Truth (2008) -- Clip: What can I do for you?
Nothing But the Truth (2008) -- A journalist exposes a CIA agent but refuses to divulge her source in this thriller.
Nothing But the Truth (2008) -- In Washington, D.C., a female reporter faces a possible jail sentence for outing a CIA agent and refusing to reveal her source.
Nothing But the Truth (2008) -- MoviesTrailer.org - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   6,876 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 20% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Rod Lurie (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Nothing But the Truth on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 July 2009 (Philippines) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Don't Reveal the Source
Plot:
In Washington, D.C., a female reporter faces a possible jail sentence for outing a CIA agent and refusing to reveal her source. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(61 articles)
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User Comments:
A powerful film... more (59 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Kate Beckinsale ... Rachel Armstrong

Matt Dillon ... Patton Dubois

Angela Bassett ... Bonnie Benjamin

Alan Alda ... Alan Burnside

Vera Farmiga ... Erica Van Doren

David Schwimmer ... Ray Armstrong

Courtney B. Vance ... Agent O'Hara

Noah Wyle ... Avril Aaronson
Floyd Abrams ... Judge Hall

Preston Bailey ... Timmy Armstrong

Kristen Bough ... Allison Van Doren

Julie Ann Emery ... Agent Boyd

Robert Harvey ... Warden
Michael O'Neill ... CIA Director

Kristen Shaw ... Angel Rabinowitz
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for language, some sexual material and a scene of violence.
Runtime:
108 min | Canada:108 min (Toronto International Film Festival)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
There is a scene in the movie where Erica Van Doren (Vera Farmiga) is given a lie detector test because the CIA suspects that she leaked her own identity. Rod Lurie brought in a real life polygraphist to polygraph her for the scene. He asked her if her name was Erica Van Doren and if she worked for the CIA. After the scene was over the polygraphist called Lurie over to tell him that Farmiga beat the polygraph test because the machine said that she was telling the truth. more
Quotes:
Dubois: Now for some reason, you don't reveal your source, you'll be held in contempt. And that means jail time. And we're not talking about some sort of a Martha Stewart cell with a butler nonsense. more
Movie Connections:
References Hoffmeyer's Legacy (1912) more

FAQ

Is there an official website?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
What is this "principle" that Rachel is protecting?
more
52 out of 78 people found the following comment useful.
A powerful film..., 13 September 2008
8/10
Author: BobStage from Ontario, Canada

I first heard about this film because of Matt Dillon, one of my favourite actors. He is the second billing in this film, right behind Kate Beckinsale, also starring Vera Farmiga, Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, and David Schwimmer.

The film is about Rachel Armstrong, a reporter (Beckinsale) who has written the story of her life: a military coup by the United States on a South American country was a lie, a Watergate, an operation that could get a president impeached. One CIA agent (Farmiga) had been there before the attack and had reported that there was no need to attack. They attacked anyway, and through a number of sources, Armstrong succeeds in finding the story. When the paper hits, the government realizes that they must find out the original source of Armstrong. Hired to find out this story is Patton Dupois (Matt Dillon), who goes after Armstrong with a ruthless but aloof determination. She is held in contempt of court when she refuses to reveal her source, and she is put in jail. Armstrong's boss (Bassett) and her lawyer (Alda) urges her to keep up the stand she has taken, while her husband (Schwimmer) is angry that she has done this. She herself must cope with the consequences of taking on the government, and the pressure just lays on throughout the story.

Beckinsale keeps the story going easily with her brilliant performance. The story is of course, focused on her, and the effect of imprisonment and interrogation can be seen on her face when she sees her son through the glass of visiting hours, or when Dupois questions her in court. Matt Dillon is also a brilliant actor, and I hope the two of them get nominated this year. However, while Dillon deserves it, I think Alda will end up with the nomination, who is both witty and cynical throughout the court battles.

The film's true strength comes from the fact that it is not a true Hollywood film. There is a tone about it that is certainly not like a usual story like this. The characters are dark, but also with redeeming qualities. Schwimmer's character of the husband does hurtful things, but out of weakness rather than malice. Dillon's character is ruthless in his prosecution, but in truth, he is just doing his job well. Even Beckinsale's character is not the underdog hero that this film could have been about. Thankfully, this movie takes a different route.

It was a real enjoyment seeing this film. Dillon shines as he usually has when I've seen him, and so do Beckinsale and Farmiga. The only over-the-top character is that of Avril Aaronson, played by Noah Wyle, and is thankfully overshadowed by the good performances of those who carry the film.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Nothing But the Truth (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Looking back at the Ending(Spoliers) firestorm972003-1
HUGE SPOILER - Twist at the end turns whole movie into a plot hole baldwinnospam
What was the little guitar clip on the DVD menu? ldsdbomber
Derailed by lack of authenticity (spoilers) clovenhoof
I think some missed the point !!!!!!SPOILER!!!!!! Roger_Dodger
National Security vs Free Press. neoultrix
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