Review of Truth (2015) by Foxgrove — 17 Oct 2015

Recalling the more impressive political thrillers of the 70’s, ‘Truth’ will probably fare better with American audiences than others elsewhere. It depicts the fall of several journalistic figures circa 2004 due to a hot potato of a story that aired on the TV programme 60 minutes.

Being unfamiliar with the politics and the period concerned, the story comes over as almost insignificant when compared to the career damage its telling inflicted on several individuals, including the show’s producer Mary Mapes and anchor Dan Rather.

The screenplay, based on Mapes’ book ‘Truth and Duty’, requires constant concentration and things start slowly. However, as the story breaks and the team responsible find themselves under scrutiny and attack, one becomes more invested in where events are heading.

As Mary Mapes, Cate Blanchett offers up another indelible characterisation tapping into new areas of performance. Co-star Robert Redford, however, doesn’t exactly stretch himself as Rather. Of the supporting cast Topher Grace comes off best and he has a really rousing scene in the film’s final act.

The score is great and ever present and if the film is not as memorable as past triumphs like ‘All the President’s Men’, ‘Three Days of the Condor’ or ‘The Parallax View’, it has to be remembered that they were positioned more as thrillers.

This is a kind of cautionary drama from a different (supposedly more enlightened) era completely.