Its good to see that certain actors really have it in them to be good actors. I think most of them have gotten to where they are because they are that good, but as fat old producers get their claws into them they pimp them out based on their looks and offer them roles they really shouldn't take. I feel that this is pretty true for actors like Kate Beckinsale, among others.
When a reporters (Rachel) gets her hands on a lead that will no doubt destroy the President's reputation, and make him face some questions I'm sure he would rather not, she is all to quick to want to run it in the paper. Problem is is that it involves outing a CIA operative (named Erica) (sound familiar) As much as it seems like she doesn't want to, she really wants the story, it will propel her into another stratosphere of journalism, and its a story that should be run, right? She runs the story and there is a huge blow up when all the other press gets their hands on the name of the CIA operative, as well as the federal government would like to plug the leak as quickly and as cleanly as possible.
So in comes Patton Dubois, a man whose sole job is going to be to find out who told Rachel that Erica was in the CIA. Rachel doesn't have to tell him, or anyone else for that matter, its a 1st Amendment issue, and if she does who will trust her again as a journalist. So Patton strong arms her, and is able to get her thrown in jail until she gives up the name of the source. She remains in jail for a year, never giving up the name, we eventually learn the cooberating source, but not the original, and even though her life is in ruins she wont tell who it was.
Its sick to think that this actually happened, and continues to happen, this is not the America I know, they take an individuals rights and throw them out in the name of "National Security" So if that's the case, what will stop them from doing it to me, or you, or anyone? Kate Beckinsale is the woman who plays Rachel, and is surprisingly good in it, I was telling someone just the other day that she is a good actress, its just no one has seen her good movies (another example is called "Snow Angels") Its the women of the movie who really run the show, the male actors are good in this but take a back seat to Beckinsale, and Vera Farminga.
Now as good as the acting was, and so was the story, it is very heavy in the melodrama, it goes a little to far in stacking the cards against our characters, whether that's how it really is or not it makes the movie seem like David against an army of Goliaths. Isn't that all the feds are though? The movie holds up a mirror to show all of our injustices, and uncommon as this practice may be that they do to the characters in the movie, the fact that its does happen in this day in age is disgusting.
There's nothing really exciting about the way it was shot, or the music, its mostly just a vehicle for its actors. The nagging question though of the movie, who was the source of the information is upsetting to say the least, I'm sure people figure it out, instead of trying to figure it out I just let it play to its strengths which is rare for me, I usually try and figure it all out before its exposed. We learn in the last scene who her source was.
For the acting I think its worth watching, but overall if you miss it you wont really miss it. Its just another drop in the bucket of movies that are heavy on plot and acting, but weak in other areas. 7/10 stars.
Director: Rod Lurie
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Vera Farmiga, Alan Alda, Angela Bassett, Dadid Schwimmer, Noah Wyle
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