Review of Nothing But the Truth (2008) by Mike D — 03 Aug 2009

Nothing But The Truth is a powerful movie about a journalist who would rather go to jail than reveal her confidential source. Kate Beckinsale as Rachel Armstrong gives one of the best film performances I've seen in a while, but the entire cast is nothing less than phenomenal -- just check out the list of actors and you'll know you're in for something great.

In addition to fully drawn, well performed characters and a compelling story with an unpredictable yet inevitable final twist that will blow you away, the movie also explores with great care an issue that I cherish: What limits on the First Amendment are acceptable or desirable? But the issue, or 'principle' as the film continually refers to it, never gets in the way of the human element. The movie is like Rachel Armstrong herself -- speaking of Rachel, one character says, 'In great people, there is no difference between the principle and the person,' which is how I feel about this movie: It is a nearly perfect example of how to make an important movie that is also engaging and meaningful in ways that transcend importance.