Review of The Whole Truth (2016) by Johnny T — 06 Nov 2016

There's nothing monumental at play in The Whole Truth, but it's not entirely without merit, satisfying on the same level one would digest a grocery store paperback. Keanu Reeves effectively anchors The Whole Truth, but a capable cast can only do so much to keep the lingering mystery afloat before logic weighs it down. Ultimately, there's nothing offensively bad here-other than a waste of talent who should be doing better work-but it's so forgettable that you'll have trouble remembering if you saw it or not when you scroll past it on cable in a few months. The film's bleached colors and Reeves' trademark woodenness add to its emotional remoteness, though Basso, Zellweger and Belushi create a convincing family in crisis. Zellweger, especially, delivers a fascinating, complex performance as a damaged survivor. Compelling, supported by an unusual cast, but Hunt doesn't bring grit to this mainstream event, which gradually evolves into Grisham-esque nonsense. The Whole Truth is a moderately clever, reasonably entertaining courtroom drama, which is only a problem given the talent involved with bringing something this middle-of-the-road to the screen. While it does fall victim to a number of genre tropes, it is fronted by a believable Keanu Reeves and a pleasantly deceitful Renee Zellweger. Plus, an agreeable performance from the defendant character, played by Gabriel Basso, keeps the story pulsating.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).