Nothing But the Truth

Featuring a revelatory, Oscar-worthy performance from Kate Beckinsale, Nothing But the Truth comes off as a sporadically riveting yet undeniably uneven drama that fits comfortably within Rod Lurie’s politically-themed filmography. Beckinsale stars as Rachel Armstrong, a tenacious reporter who comes upon the story of her career after she learns the identity of a covert CIA agent (Vera Farmiga’s Erica Van Doren). Rachel’s refusal to name the source of her article lands her in hot water with the government, and the bulk of the movie subsequently follows the efforts of her lawyer (Alan Alda’s Alan Burnside) to secure her release from prison. There’s little doubt that Nothing But the Truth is at its best in its opening half hour, as Lurie offers up a blisteringly paced political drama that’s certainly as compelling as anything within this woefully underused genre. Beckinsale superb work is undoubtedly matched by her various costars, with Alda, Noah Wyle, and Matt Dillon providing able support (Dillon’s sketchy Southern/New Orleans accent notwithstanding). Once Beckinsale’s character lands in jail, however, the movie becomes a much more low-key affair, with the emphasis placed on her efforts to cope with her perilous new surroundings and the continuing happenings on the outside world (including the fact that her husband, David Schwimmer’s Ray, has started seeing another woman). It’s also difficult to deny that the movie essentially morphs into an actor’s showcase as it heads into its final stretch, with the lack of narrative momentum exacerbated by a string of speeches from all the major players – yet this is a fairly minor complaint for an effort that is otherwise quite engaging and sporadically stirring.

*** out of ****