Dillon's character is ruthless in his prosecution, but in truth, he is just doing his job well. Days become weeks, and then months, but Rachel steadfastly defends the principle of confidentiality, a position that eventually estranges her husband Ray , alienates her young son Timmy, and costs her embattled newspaper hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and legal fees. Thankfully, this movie takes a different route. His casting choices are impeccable and his characters well crafted, multi-textural, fractured human beings that have a fire about them that draws one as a viewer ever deeper into the story and the film. It's a must-see this Holiday season.
This film is about principle. Even Beckinsale's character is not the underdog hero that this film could have been about. Metaphorically addressing the issues of the film through light and texture, the visual aspect of the film is as interesting as the dialogue. Farmiga, who fills out her size 0 with macho swagger. This film is truly about something, which isn't as common as I think we'd hope with movies.
The review aggregator website reported an 81% approval rating, based on 57 reviews, with the film scoring an average rating of 6. Lurie also convinced Floyd Abrams, who represented Miller in court, to play the trial judge, and the canny counselor steals every scene he's in. She herself must cope with the consequences of taking on the government, and the pressure just lays on throughout the story. His writing is always intelligent, decisive, thought provoking, timely and topical, with a story that embraces integrity, ethics, morals and social conscience. As Dubois, Dillon brings new levels of arrogance and self-importance to the perception of attorneys and trust me, many are very arrogant which sparks dynamic chemistry between he and Beckinsale.
Always a welcome addition to any film, and particularly a Rod Lurie film, Alda is the voice of reason, the conscience of the film. No point in spoiling it here, but I can assure you it will provoke debate. Beckinsale excels at finding the chinks in Rachel's armor. She is held in contempt of court when she refuses to reveal her source, and she is put in jail. For my complete review of the film and interviews with Rod Lurie and Kate Beckinsale, go to www.
He gives reasoned voice to the character of Rachel and never moreso than in one of the most impassioned and empowered monologues addressing the Supreme Court. Kate Beckinsale is mesmerizing as Rachel Armstrong. Anytime I see a project that has Rod Lurie attached, I can't get to a screening fast enough. This one is an outstanding experience in the presence of others because in many ways it's about what unites us when we believe in ourselves and the integrity of other. The obvious inspiration for the story of a newspaper reporter who is jailed for refusing to reveal her sources is the Valerie Plame affair, and for a while the details match up.
But from there, Lurie spins off into invention like a writer on deadline, scrambling the issues so thoroughly it's no longer clear what, if anything, the movie is meant to address. It makes no sense for Beckinsale to go to the lengths that she does - ruining her family and Farmiga's - to shield a child who, when exposed, would never be made public or legally held liable anyway! His direction is always with military crispness, sharp and clean. That's too bad for all sorts of reasons, including this one: when not cooing inanities at pipsqueaks, the actresses are pretty good, both together and individually. Eventually Judge Hall decides to release her from jail, as he is convinced she will never divulge her source and therefore cannot be pressured through continued incarceration. This film unapologetically stands for the power of our word and the example we set for our children.
Burnside even argues her case before the Supreme Court, but they decide against him 5—4, citing the overriding concern of national security. The similarities end with the set-up, however, as the film shows what would happen if everyone involved stuck to their principles absolutely. They attacked anyway, and through a number of sources, Armstrong succeeds in finding the story. Farmiga goes so deep into her character you can feel her nerve endings. But from there, Lurie spins off into invention like a writer on deadline, scrambling the issues so thoroughly it's no longer clear what, if anything, the movie is meant to address. She is stricken when a member of an extremist right-wing group assassinates Van Doren in her own driveway, as he perceives Van Doren's report on Venezuela's innocence to be unpatriotic, but she remains silent.
Hired to find out this story is Patton Dupois Matt Dillon , who goes after Armstrong with a ruthless but aloof determination. The fact that writer and director Rod Lurie spent 13 years in the newspaper business is evident throughout, making for one of the most compelling and believable portrayals of what it is like to be a political reporter for a major newspaper since All the President's Men. Beckinsale excels at finding the chinks in Rachel's armor. After years shunting between various genre vehicles, Beckinsale proves her chops as a serious dramatic actress. Archived from on December 17, 2013.
The movie, while slowly paced, is still entertaining and works on many levels --as a mystery and as political commentary. Erica refuses to cooperate, but Rachel has no doubts about the veracity of the report, and her story becomes front-page news with the support of editor Bonnie Benjamin and Avril Aaronson , who serves as the newspaper's legal counselor. Eventually, Judge Hall decides to release Armstrong from jail, as he is convinced she will never divulge her source and, therefore, cannot be pressured through continued incarceration. It was scheduled to open in New York City and Los Angeles on December 19, but because distributor filed for protection, it was never given a theatrical release. Burnside even argues her case before the Supreme Court, but they decide against him 5-4, citing the overriding concern of national security.