Truth Groove

email this story
read comments (28)
post a comment

Since In Contention's Kris Tapley has broken the news that Rod Lurie's Nothing But The Truth is going to the Toronto Film Festival, and since he's offered some favorable impressions of the lead performances (having seen a version a while back), I may as well admit I've also seen a not-quite-finished cut and that I feel it's Lurie's best, hands down.

Alan Alda, Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon

"Best" because it's feels smoother and crisper and more confidently dug into the soil than The Contender or Resurrecting The Champ or The Last Castle. It's a growth-spurt thing, a movie that says, almost with a kind of shrug, "Okay, now I really know what I'm doing." And because each and every actor nails what they've been hired to do like the pros they are, and I don't just mean the leads -- Kate Beckinsale, Vera Farmiga, Alan Alda and Matt Dillon, all of whom hit triples and homers.

I also mean costars Noah Wyle and David Schwimmer and even the homie-girl actresses who play Beckinsale's cellmates when she goes to the pound for refusing to give up a source. I mean everyone up and down. Everybody delivers, nobody "acts."

The story and theme of NBTT won't cause the tectonic plates to shift under your feet, but it's not coming from that kind of place. It's simply an efficient political drama -- no small feat! -- that reshuffles the cards provided by the Valerie Plame-Joseph Wilson episode. Beckinsale isn't Judith Miller, thank God, but a hungry journalist for a major Washington Post -like daily who learns the identity of a CIA agent (Farmiga) from an unlikely source and, for reasons too complex to get into, reveals this in a front-page story.

And is soon being pressured by a tough special prosecutor (Dillon) to give up her source. And who's counselled by a smoothie defense attorney (Alda). And who isn't supported enough by her husband (Schwimmer). And who misses her kid(s) and is eventually carrying the cross -- incarcerated, traumatized, no makeup, blue.

The film has a little bit of that Alan Pakula '70s paranoia going on. Everyone is fairly above-board as to their actions and motives, yes, but the world of Nothing But The Truth is faintly unnerving in that one always senses what may be waiting around the corner, patiently and with a court order.

One could call NBTT a prime example of the kind of smart, middle-budget movie that producers and studio guys are making fewer and fewer of these days. I for one worship the ground films like this walk on. Lurie's film is as good as the highly satisfying Recount, the HBO political drama with Kevin Spacey, and that's a serious compliment. I know the marketing people always go "eeeek!" when they hear someone say this, but it's a badge of pride and distinction.

NBTT has been well shot by Alik Sakharov -- unpretentious, nicely shaded. The political tension is leavened by occasional servings of wit, humor, attitude. It feels believable in terms of milieu and even the small performances (even Lurie is good in a brief cameo), and basically has every key aspect nailed down and humming and completing the whole.

Each and every performance works, but the best, for me, is Alda's clothes-horse attorney. (I particularly loved his work in a delicious restaurant scene with Schwimmer, which I can't explain without spoiling.) Beckinsale's work is absolutely her finest ever, such that I'm almost persuaded to forgive her for Pearl Harbor and those two awful vampire films. Farmiga's anger moments are grounded and pan-fried, and I felt completely accepting of (and half-enjoying, in a perverse way) Dillon's right-wing prosecutorial hard-ass.

And I was very impressed with a conjugal prison scene between Beckinsale and Schwimmer, whom I don't want to overlook -- he's solid and true in every at-bat.

I came away from this film satisfied and sated (except for a slight reservation about the ending). I had read the script several months ago and yet the film played better than what I expected. That happens every so often, and sometimes the film isn't as good as the script. All I know is that about 10 or 15 minutes in, I was saying to myself, "Okay, this is entertaining, this is very good, I'm liking each and every scene, there's no fat, the actors are at the top of their game," etc.

Yes, I know and am friendly with Lurie, but I know good craft and good material when I see it, and I'm sure as hell not going to sit on what I know and feel because of a reverse-blowjob concern.

Sky Wake<< previous | next >>Manny Farber

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 18, 2008 at 8:23 PM

comment #1

clancy says ...

The problem with Lurie films is that they always emotionally overdo it - they play with the safety net of swelling music or sentimental speeches. Its too bad because he can write terrific dialogue and there always seem to be amazing performances by every one of his actors. I am still convinced that both Joan Allen and jeff Bridges should have won Oscars for "The Contender". Maybe Dillon and Farmiga have opportunities here - and, honestly, Alda could not be more due. I'll see this one.

Posted by clancy at August 18, 2008 8:51 PM

comment #2

worrywort says ...

"The movie is opening soon so what's the urgency? "

Posted by worrywort at August 18, 2008 9:06 PM

comment #3

actionman says ...

I was a big fan of The Contender, enjoyed The Castle flaws and all, but never saw Ressurecting the Champ.

However, this sounds like an absolute must see for me. Love this sort of subject matter.

Wells -- you say Beckinsale delivers career best work? Did you see her in Snow Angels? She was fantastic in that film. That performance, to me, is the best I've seen from her yet. Maybe this is better...

Posted by actionman at August 18, 2008 9:08 PM

comment #4

gruver1 says ...

Wells to actionman: To my discredit, I never saw or rented Snow Angels. I should have by now but them's the breaks. Something always slips between the cracks.

Posted by gruver1 at August 18, 2008 9:18 PM

comment #5

naysayer says ...

"even the homie-girl actresses who play Beckinsale's cellmates"

don't tell me, one of them's in prison for taking her child to see hostel 2?

Posted by naysayer at August 18, 2008 9:28 PM

comment #6

mfelsher says ...

Shouldn't that be..

"and those THREE awful vampire films"

Lest we forget VAN HELSING?

Or perhaps we should?

Posted by mfelsher at August 18, 2008 9:32 PM

comment #7

gruver1 says ...

Wells to naysayer If I were a judge and if taking your 18 month-old kid to see movies like Hostel 2 was a crime (and it should be), yeah, I'd throw the book at her. And then I'd retire to my chambers, pour a Jack Daniels neat, look in the mirror and toast myself. Whether she was Swedish, German, Russian, Honduran, Brazilian, Czech, African-American or fat, McCain-supporting red-state trash.

Posted by gruver1 at August 18, 2008 9:33 PM

comment #8

filmsofdust says ...

The plot makes Kate Beckinsale the Bob Novak figure. Judith Miller was the one willing to reprint the administration's lies in the NY Times in order to lead us into war in Iraq.

Posted by filmsofdust at August 18, 2008 9:51 PM

comment #9

lazarus says ...

Jeff, no specific comments on Farmiga? I thought she was the one Tapley singled out for awards consideration.

I hope she gets her due one day. She deserved a nom for The Departed a lot more than Wahlberg did, and I imagine the film wouldn't have had half of its resonance with a lesser actress in that role.

Posted by lazarus at August 18, 2008 10:08 PM

comment #10

EDouglas says ...

Definitely rent Snow Angels, Jeff... Kate Beckinsale is a seriously underrated actress because of her decision to do genre movies.

Posted by EDouglas at August 19, 2008 5:45 AM

comment #11

Griff says ...

Vera Farmiga is a truly awesome actress. I hope the film is as good as Jeff suggests, if only to give her a lot more exposure.

Posted by Griff at August 19, 2008 6:25 AM

comment #12

Krillian says ...

The Contender was hilarious pro-Clinton propaganda, but I really liked Recount and I'm looking forward to this if it's in the same vein.

Posted by Krillian at August 19, 2008 7:16 AM

comment #13

Mikeb says ...

Excellent film. Rod Lurie's best, Jeff's right it does have a Pakula vibe in that it's so well grounded and the story unfolds effortlessly. Awesome movie.

Then again, I'm sleeping with the guy.

Mike Binder

Posted by Mikeb at August 19, 2008 7:28 AM

comment #14

clancy says ...

Binder- I know it is a joke but you should be sleeping with the guy, or at least servicing him. After all, he put you and Joan Allen together and that gave you (and us) "The Upside of Anger".

The more I think about it the more I want to see this movie. I have long suspected that Beckinsale is capable of much more than we have ever seen (and, no, I did not see "Snow Angels") and that Vera Farmiga is an acting genuis. Plus, the story sounds fantastic and if, as Jeff suggests, it is not preachy, it may well roll into Oscar season.

Posted by clancy at August 19, 2008 7:38 AM

comment #15

Devin Faraci says ...

Jeff, I'm interested in your thoughts on Rod Lurie in the documentary HECKLER, where he says that as a critic he - like most critics, he claims - just wanted to tear movies down to make himself seem smarter.

Posted by Devin Faraci at August 19, 2008 10:41 AM

comment #16

BurmaShave says ...

"no fat" in a Wells review is too funny. I actually do wish to one day see a good Rod Lurie movie, so Im hoping this does deliver.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 19, 2008 11:10 AM

comment #17

MilkMan says ...

That still is the cinematic equivalent of those restaurants that have pictures of their food on the menu. It might taste good, but I'll never know, because it sure doesn't look good. Beckinsale is dog puke on the sidewalk.

Posted by MilkMan at August 19, 2008 11:34 AM

comment #18

MilkMan says ...

Oh, and this is the second film in which Beckinsale has played an inmate, the first being that Thai prison movie. Any director who casts her to play an inmate has lost me from the get go. I doubt Kate Beckinsale has ever worn the same pair of underwear twice. Rod Lurie is a cock, too, what with his ever-present stogie and minimal directing chops. He was a hack film reviewer and now...well, same old, diff. medium. I'm sure he'll win an Oscar one day. If Paul Haggis can win two, then anyone can win one.

Posted by MilkMan at August 19, 2008 11:37 AM

comment #19

C-PhreekII says ...

It's about time Lurie got back to film and salvaged his reputation. While interesting on paper, both of his TV shows suffered from questionable casting (David Paymer as a Virginia mob boss. Really?) and less than gripping storylines. There were some standouts in the supporting casts.

I miss the old radio show. Lurie knew his stuff and could zero in a film's strengths and weaknesses with a sniper's precision.

Posted by C-PhreekII at August 19, 2008 11:50 AM

comment #20

Rob says ...

How do you not love Beckinsale in Cold Comfort Farm and The Last Days of Disco? Back in the day, she had the Entitled Twentysomething Act down cold.

Posted by Rob at August 19, 2008 12:15 PM

comment #21

Richard2001 says ...

Let's face it: Rod is a hack. Jeff is a good buddy with Rod, going back to his KMPC days---Jeff is nothing more that a stooge when it comes to Lurie and his work....

Posted by Richard2001 at August 19, 2008 5:19 PM

comment #22

Carter L. says ...

Richard2001- I love how people with fake internet names like you come up with this stuff. I remember reading other stuff you wrote about Lurie and West Point as if you were some kind of authority. You're probably a jealous ex-girlfriend or journalist who didn't succeed like he did. Is Lurie a hack? Matter of opinion. His films and shows have gotten Oscar nominations and Golden Globes, so I don't think so. However, what you say about his relationship with Wells or his West Point days are meaningless and petty until you tell us who you are and where you get your information.

Posted by Carter L. at August 19, 2008 5:45 PM

comment #23

BurmaShave says ...

Carter L. forgot to mention that Lurie won the Academy Award for greatest film ever made and that he pisses excellences. If I'm going to reject psycho haters, I'm going to reject sycophants too.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 19, 2008 5:56 PM

comment #24

BurmaShave says ...

Also I'm going to be pissed when Alda beats Heath Ledger and Downey Jr.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 19, 2008 5:59 PM

comment #25

K. Bowen says ...

Why is it such a surprise when Beckinsale gives a standout performance? There was a time before she started prancing around in leather that she was a critical darling for her indie work. And she's usually good when she chooses to do non-genre fare, Aviator, for example.

And yes. Jeff, you should see Snow Angels.

Posted by K. Bowen at August 19, 2008 6:33 PM

comment #26