Nothing But the Truth (2008)
81%RT Audience Score: 73%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 2 nominations
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
Nothing But The Truth” is a movie that will make you question everything you thought you knew about journalism, motherhood, and government accountability. Kate Beckinsale gives a performance that will leave you wondering why she doesn’t do more dramatic roles, and Vera Farmiga shines as a government operative who loses everything. The story is gripping, the writing is intelligent, and the ethical quandaries will keep you on the edge of your seat. Plus, it’s always fun to see a Hollywood movie that’s not just a sausage factory product. Don’t miss this one, even if it went straight-to-DVD.
Production Company(ies)
Korea Pictures, L J Film Pandora Filmproduktion,
Distributor
Yari Film Group
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language, some sexual material and a scene of violence
Year of Release
2009
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 47m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2008 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 28, 2009
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Angela Bassett, Vera Farmiga, Alan Alda, David Schwimmer, directed by Rod Lurie, written by Rod Lurie, political thriller, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Roger Ebert, produced by Marc Frydman, Bob Yari, R-rated, CIA operative, journalist, Supreme Court, First Amendment, government accountability, imprisonment, legal drama, female protagonist, real-life drama, special prosecutor, source protection, free press, motherhood, human interest, tyranny, principled integrity, strong cast, tense thriller, gripping story, top critic reviews, audience reviews
Worldwide gross: $409,832
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $566,433
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,709
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 61,770
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Matt Dillon – Patton Dubois
Angela Bassett – Bonnie Benjamin
Vera Farmiga – Erica Van Doren
Alan Alda – Albert Burnside
David Schwimmer – Ray Armstrong
Director(s)
Rod Lurie
Writer(s)
Rod Lurie
Producer(s)
Marc Frydman, Bob Yari
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (60) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (49) | Rotten (11)
… 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…
September 12, 2017 | Rating: A-
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
A finely-crafted film of people and ideas, of the sort more common before the movie mainstream became a sausage factory.
May 1, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
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.
April 28, 2009
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Writer-director Lurie makes dramas that whole-headedly engage ethical quandaries yet dodge easy judgments.
February 6, 2009
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
TOP CRITIC
In this engrossing political thriller, Kate Beckinsale’s focused and sympathetic as the reporter who goes to jail to protect her source, and Vera Farmiga shines in the volatile supporting role of a government operative who loses her family because of her
February 1, 2009 | Rating: 3.5/4
Thelma Adams
Us Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Lurie’s screenplay is intelligent and thoughtful, with moments of great insight.
December 29, 2008
Jason Bailey
DVDTalk.com
TOP CRITIC
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.
November 13, 2019
Debbie Lynn Elias
Behind The Lens
Writer jailed protecting source; strong language, violence.
August 27, 2019 | Rating: 3/5
Barbara Shulgasser
Common Sense Media
While it won’t change the world it certainly deserves to be seen, especially as this is probably Beckinsale’s strongest dramatic performance in several years.
May 16, 2013 | Rating: 3/5
Henry Northmore
The List
Its surprising focus on motherhood and its strong female protagonist give this story a human interest angle.
July 24, 2012 | Rating: 56/100
Jeremy Heilman
MovieMartyr.com
Proving she can switch the lights on (or at least be guided to them), Kate Beckinsale gives a career-best performance in Rod Lurie’s star-studded, substantive rumination on First Amendment attacks and governmental accountability.
September 19, 2010 | Rating: 3.5/4
Nick Rogers
The Film Yap
Premda je re%u017Eiser ljevi%u010Dar, film se te%u0161ko mo%u017Ee okarakterizirati kao jo%u0161 jedna holivudska propovijed protiv Bushove Amerike
January 20, 2010 | Rating: 6/10
Dragan Antulov
rec.arts.movies.reviews…
Plot
Thinking Pulitzer Prize and hoping to bring down a President, D.C. political columnist Rachel Armstrong writes that the President ignored the findings of a covert CIA operative when ordering air strikes against Venezuela. Rachel names the agent, Erica Van Doren, a woman whose young daughter is in Rachel’s son’s class at school. The government moves quickly to force Rachel to name her source. She’s jailed for contempt when she refuses. She won’t change her mind, and the days add up. Chaos descends on Van Doren’s life as well. First Amendment versus national security, marriage and motherhood versus separation. What’s the value of a principle?
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Kate Beckinsale gives a “career-best performance” in Nothing But the Truth, according to one critic.
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