“Nothing But The Truth” is not about the Valerie Plame, CIA agent case. At least producers want you to know that. In fact, they threw a little disclaimer at the beginning of the movie, just to point out that this is fiction. However, it’s hard to ignore the similarities. Kate Beckinsale plays Rachel Armstrong, a reporter who breaks the story on a fellow Mom at her son’s school, who also works as a covert CIA agent. Much like the real life Valerie Plame case, the movie has the CIA agent’s husband a vocal critic of an unpopular President. After Rachel exposes the agent, her life is turned upside down. The government wants to know her source and she’s not telling.
Beckinsale’s character goes through a long stay in jail to protect the source. While incarcerated, her marriage breaks down, her son becomes distant and she is beaten to a pulp. Still she protects her source. The Supreme Court hears her case but rules against her. When all hope is lost she’s freed but only for a couple of hours until the cruel special investigator played by Matt Dillon decides to put her back inside. Only in the last sixty seconds of the movie do you realize why Rachel decided to sacrifice her own comfortable life style to protect the source. I won’t ruin the surprise identity of the source, but it makes the whole movie make sense.
Kate Beckinsale delivers a solid performance, especially in the second half of the film when her character is beaten down physically and emotionally. Alan Alda is equally good as the lawyer fighting for her and David Schwimmer gives a very un-“Friends” like take as the husband left feeling lonely while his wife serves time. Overall, a good film, good acting and an unexpected twist at the end.
