Le prix du silence

A good film loosely inspired by the journalist Judith Miller. Always good to see films that remind me that journalism used to have integrity and guts... something we need these days. Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon and Alan Alda killed it. David Schwimmer just looks like a sad, lost puppy dog as usual.

This was shown last night at the Toronto International Film Festival and was very well received. It is a beautifully acted, deftly written examination of the tension between freedom of the press and the power of the state, based very loosely on the Valerie Plame case. The fact that writer and director Rod Lurie spent 13 years in the newspaper business is evident throughout, making for one of the most compelling and believable portrayals of what it is like to be a political reporter for a major newspaper since All the President's Men. Kate Beckinsale (the reporter) and Vera Farmiga (as the CIA operative) are outstanding and each delivers an Oscar-worthy performance. Matt Dillon gives one of his best performances as the smarmy, ambitious and self-righteous prosecuting attorney. David Schwimmer, an odd casting choice, does a fine job within a fairly narrow range. Surprisingly, I even enjoyed Alan Alda's performance as a high-powered, rather cynical and self-obsessed Washington lawyer, hired to defend the beleaguered reporter. But the two women really steal the show.

There was much discussion in our group about the ending and whether it enhanced or undercut the basic message of the film. No point in spoiling it here, but I can assure you it will provoke debate.

FIRST... Let us FOCUS on the Title's Content and Context!

From the very onset, via a blink of an eye assassination attempt on the U. S. President, TRUTH gets a headlock on your psyche and doesn't let go. It manages to be both extremely entertaining and thought-provoking, tackling perhaps one of the most important issues facing Americans in the 21st century: Balancing the First Amendment Right of journalists to protect the confidentiality of their sources against the government's right to guarantee Ntional Security during wartime!!! And it manages to do so in a very unpretentious way, without any of the In-Your-Face preaching so often found in films dealing with this topic.

KUDOS to Rod Luries taut and low-key direction coaxing a remarkable ensemble performance from a truly stellar cast!

Kate Becksinsale shines as an unshakeable journalist who refuses to buckle under constantly mounting Federal pressure to coerce her into revealing her source. Vera Farmiga (who never caught my attention before) delivers a solid performance as the outted CIA agent at the center of a firestorm. For Matt Dillon fans, an interesting note: His performance as the Special Prosecutor hand-picked by the President to find the Traitor Tout Suite is a laudable departure from his usual tough-guy/low-life roles!.

Rounding out this genuinely outstanding cast are, Angela Basset, Alan Alda, Edie Falco and David Schwimmer. There is one final element to mention that adds a potent punch to TRUTH, but any details would be a SP**LER, so....when you see it, you WILL know!!!

(9********* Stars) ENJOY! / DISFURTELA!

Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most welcome!

This rates up very high on my scale as one of the better movies of 2008. Its not written as though a high and mighty political messenger wrote it, yet you do not have to look to deep to find the meaning. The star studded cast of Matt Dillon, Alan Alda and Kate Bechinsale brings out the qualities that was needed to make this type of film truly majestic.

The intense vigor of how the prosecuting attorney played by Matt Dillon, (which I first thought was going to be way out of character for him, but he pulled it off so effectively that he now has a new fan), actually attacks our protagonist is so real and matter of fact.

Being based on a true story helps in the matter of believability and the injustice of our justice system.

8/10

I saw this film at a press screening last weekend. Wow! What an achievement. This story is masterfully executed, creating a lyrical and deeply affecting empathy with the film's lead character, played with Oscar-worthy precision and nuance by Kate Beckinsale. This film is truly about something, which isn't as common as I think we'd hope with movies. It has truly meaningful themes that are dramatized in an entertaining, emotional and often eloquent way. The acting is top-notch. The direction is confident.

I don't want to say much about the plot because it has some nice twists and touching moments that come from the organic development of the characters' relationships, their conflicts and their fight for what they believe in. This film is about principle. This film unapologetically stands for the power of our word and the example we set for our children. It's a must-see this Holiday season. It may only have a limited release due to complications experienced by its distributor, so get out now and see it! Don't just wait for DVD. This one is an outstanding experience in the presence of others because in many ways it's about what unites us when we believe in ourselves and the integrity of other.