In Rod Lurie’s new film, Nothing But the Truth Judith Miller and Valerie Plame’s real life dramas, though identifiable, are heightened and reconfigured for maximum impact.  A person who goes into this film expecting a dramatized retold bio pic will be disappointed.  Instead, their stories are used as the foundation for a story that is it’s own autonomous entity; one that mines the depths of journalistic integrity.  This autonomous entity is a smartly paced, brilliantly crafted political thriller; punctuated with the best reveal since Rosebud.

Alan Alda’s portrayal of a dedicated, loyal and insightful yet ultimately powerless Clarence Darrow type captures the best of his tragic/comedic genius.  Kate Beckinsale hits each emotional note with piercing virtuosity.  Writer and director, Rod Lurie refuses to pander to the docile demographic by dumbing down.  Nothing but the Truth is an unapologeticaly fierce, complex and multifaceted confrontation.  It succeeds where the sensationalistic sound bytes fail at giving an entirely new level of meaning to journalistic integrity, loyalty and sacrifice.