Wednesday 9 March 2016

Film: 'Truth'


Another film about investigative journalism, and by no means the first to set blood pressures rising, particularly for those Americans of a Republican persuasion.
Based on a book by, and featuring as main character, Mary Mapes, a name I didn't know (Cate Blanchett - the acting range of this woman is extraordinary!), it also features CBS political commentator, Dan Rather (Robert Redford), a name I was aware of, but little more than that.

It concerns the 2004 rumoured story that George W. Bush, then on his campaign to attain a second term as President had, in the early 1970s, taken a safer alternative to doing active combat service in Viet Nam thanks to familial and political influences in Washington D.C., and even then he hadn't fulfilled the minimum requirements of attendance. Blanchett, as Mapes, gets her teeth into the story and sets about finding validation by interviewing those senior army personnel around at the time who can confirm what happened regarding Bush. She opens up this story with Dan Rather who is keen to run with it, reporting its progress on CBS's widely-viewed 'Sixty Minutes' TV programme. Then the 'other side' starts to claim that some key documents are forgeries and it helps even less when at least one strategic witness modifies his story. Was he leaned on for political reasons? Meanwhile the investigation is raising tensions within Mapes' own family life. Is she really after the truth or is she determined at any cost to discredit Bush in order to help the Democrats Presidential campaign for Kerry?

As the evidence is explained to us I felt in danger of becoming lost, though I wasn't completely. However, the case isn't as clear-cut as it was in the recent 'Spotlight'.

In the large cast (every single one a white face!) is also Dennis Quaid and they are all of a high standard, though once again it's Blanchett who carries the acting honours.

This seems to be James Vanderbilt's debut as feature film director and he manages a more than respectable achievement, as well as writing the screenplay from Mapes' book. The film is good and I'd recommend it, though not above some recent films of a similar genre of story...........................6.5.

10 comments:

  1. A film i have not heard about before! Thanks for the heads up

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    1. This film hasn't had much publicity here, J.G., and it's a bit unfair. It's been shown in this town for just three days, and yet it's an interesting, non-boring tale. Hope you get a chance to view.

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  2. Ray,
    I love Cate Blanchett. I think she is a fabulous actress. I know about this film and of course, remember when this actual event happened.
    Thanks for the review.
    Ron

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    1. Ron, I really think Cate B. is starting to rival Meryl S. for chameleon-like ability to transform herself into any character at all. She never gives a poor or unconvincing performance. Did you manage to see her 'Carol'? It's a 'must'.

      Of course I recall the controversy over G.W.Bush's military record but the names of the people involved in exposing the story didn't mean anything to me at the time. I'm now a fair bit wiser.

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  3. Loved the movie. Don't really know if that's the 'real' truth but whatever. Still enjoyed it! ^_^

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    1. Although it didn't absolutely commit itself, the film left little doubt where its sympathies lay. For me it was an education as well as an entertainment - and, as you say, it was good.

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  4. I saw your comment on Ron's blog, Retired in Delaware; My husband and I have been together 30 years. I am 66 he is 60. We are native California boys. We have lived here in the Hollywood/West Hollywood area most of our adult lives. Studio City is just a part of the Hollywood area, with a lot of media and movie studios. Anyway I see that you follow several blogs. My favorite blog, it's not as nasty as the name. It is a nice blog with nice photos of Hollywood from the past, and other nice photos. http://porncake.blogspot.com

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  5. I have added you to my list. I will check back and see how things are going across the pond. Also, I have followed Ron's blog got many years. I don't comment mush as I once did. When he comes to Hollywood I have not visited with him and Pat. Glenn and I want then to enjoy their freedom of no commitment. Next year we may grab them and show them a few places of interest.

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  6. I wanted to say this also. My husband, Glenn, is pictured on the blog site http://www.beards.org/success.php he is pictured under 'success stories', he is about the fourth photo down, Glenn wearing a cowboy hat.

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