| RATING: | 100% |
| FORMAT: | DVD |
Excellent movie about the difference between facts and the truth and the common conflation of the two by journalists and scandal-mongers. The issues are subtly explored in a character-driven narrative that comes from a sophisticated screenplay and the superb actors. All of the characters are clearly differentiated and believable.
Because the characters are the means by which this film conveys its ideas about defamation, guilt and ethical responsibility the performers need to be the best. Sally FIELD is wonderful as the villainess of the piece because you want to hiss in her direction yet find her adorability difficult to overcome. Paul NEWMAN is impeccable as the honest, morally-upright citizen who is considered to be an apple that does not fall far from the tree of his criminal father.
The immaturity and downright irresponsibility of what passes for modern Western journalism is well exposed because profits, readership and sales figures are more important than verity – which is often confused with facts, rumor and innuendo. Newspapers will print anything so long as it sells without any concern for whom they hurt. They are unable to believe what they are told because they are only ever really interested in bad news because of their cynical belief that there is no other kind. Yet, you cannot tell the truth (or a lie) without hurting someone.
Like the recent movie State of Play, this is a drama for adults who like their stories served up with a strong undercurrent of political realism.
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