Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you’re into journalism.
Score: 3.5/5
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 125 minutes (~2 hours)
“Truth” is a journalistic drama about real-life reporter Mary Mapes’ 2004 story on George Bush. When the veracity of her evidence is called into question, she and her team face the greatest struggle of their lives. It stars Cate Blanchett (Mary Mapes), Robert Redford (Dan Rather), Topher Grace (Mike Smith), Dennis Quaid (Colonel Roger Charles), Elisabeth Moss (Lucy Scott), Bruce Greenwood (Andrew Heyward), David Lyons (Josh Howard), John Benjamin Hickey (Mark Wrolstad), and Stacy Keach (Bill Burkett). It is rated M-18.
Rather than the straightforward journalistic drama of reporters struggling to gain the necessary evidence or witnesses to legitimise their story, “Truth” shows the aftermath of story gone wrong, and the repercussions it can have. What’s refreshing about “Truth” is that it explores the humanity behind journalism, rather than presenting journalists as stalwart crusaders of critical revelations. It presents Mary Mape as a slightly damaged but well meaning journalist, allowing us to empathise with this flawed human being who is just trying to do right by the people.
Highlights
Dan Rather’s conflicted stance
There’s an enormous contrast between the confident, upright Dan Rather of the first half of the movie, and the subdued, uncertain Dan Rather in the second half. His internal conflict is rarely reflected in dialogue, but shows up beautifully on his face, as he struggles to make sense of all that has happened. Robert Redford’s portrayal show us the strength of his personal moral compass, which gets tested to its limits.
Tension and excitement of the newsroom
The first half of the film plays the journalistic drama straight, as Mary Mapes and her team race against the clock to put together their story for broadcast. It’s amidst the action and drama that we learn more about the characters, and come to respect them as motivated and competent individuals in their fields. Critical exposition for the second half of the film is delivered in an engaging fashion, while still giving us what we expect in a journalistic drama.
Ambiguity of the issue
“Truth” also gives us a balanced perspective on the accuracy of the evidence presented through arguments laid out by both proponents. And it’s this ambiguity that makes it so unique among films, making the topic ring true by presenting a multi-dimensional stance to the issue, rather than a straightforward true/false dichotomy. As a result, the core conflict rests on the conviction of the characters rather than a black-and-white judgement of the situation.
Letdowns
Abrupt switch in tone
While the first half of the film plays out like a journalistic drama, the sudden shift in mood in the second half comes across as jarring. It’s like two movies stitched together, with the remaining half becoming more like a crime drama than a film about journalism. Of course, the premise mandates some sort of switch in the tone, but even so it’s a distinct difference in tension and mood.
Unsatisfying conclusion
Having to adhere to real life means there’s a limit to the artistic license that can be taken with the story. The ending is devoid of catharsis and lacks closure. That being said, mechanically there is a proper resolution and climax to the story, just that the emotions are lacking.
“Truth” shows journalists in a new light, but its adherence to real life makes it a difficult story to tell well.
“Truth” opens in cinemas 17 March, 2016 (Thursday).
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