Truth Review
RYAN: Truth is a docudrama about the time when Dan Rather and his CBS news team reported on the validity of George W. Bush’s military service and it is quite the dramatization. It’s one of those stories that’s, like, “you just can’t make this stuff up.”
CAROLINE: I remember when it all went down. This film is based on the memoir by Dan’s producer Mary Mapes. She’s portrayed in the film by Cate Blanchett. Not too shabby.
RYAN: Right? She’s as good as she ever is. She really is one of the best actresses out there. And she fully realizes this person. Also, I know we’ve never produced network news but we have produced for VH1 and MTV and other networks that, in terms of the production, we could totally identify with what was going on in this movie. The stakes never would have approached national security levels as they do in this film, but the basic principals are the same and I could totally relate.
CAROLINE: I haven’t seen this yet, but yes, I’m sure anyone who has worked in television production could relate to this story.
RYAN: I didn’t read the book this is based upon, but in the film, I like how we get to see a glimpse of Mary’s personal life as well as her work life. The script is pretty balanced.
CAROLINE: How is Redford as Dan Rather?
RYAN: He’s good but he still looks more like Robert Redford than Dan Rather. I think they could have done something more with makeup or lighting or whatever, to suggest Dan more. That is the biggest sticking point for me in this film, actually. I never really bought into this fully because you’re just looking at Robert Redford the whole time and you can’t really imagine it’s Dan. Cate more becomes her role than Robert did.
CAROLINE: That’s too bad. How’s the rest of the cast?
RYAN: Well Topher Grace is in it and I was shocked that he won me over. I’m so used to totally being annoyed with him on screen but despite my previous dislike for his performances, he did very well in this movie. And he’s adorable.
CAROLINE: Well there is that.
RYAN: The editing is very good. You see a lot of what’s being said on screen and it’s cool how everything is laid out in front of you. The topic covered here really was quite a controversy. These people lost not only their jobs but their careers. And the corruption in politics is so obvious. It’s clearly from her side of the story, but if it’s to be believed, it’s really outrageous and frustrating. Cate carries the film. She’s such a transparent actress that you can feel what she feels and she acts with all parts of her body. There are some actors who can cry on command and then there’s Cate Blanchett who can apparently break into an anxious sweat on demand. She’s incredible.
CAROLINE: Please. She’s amazing, always.
RYAN: Journalism is a serious business and the team that works together goes through all the ups and downs together. There’s great camaraderie. But investigative journalism at the level they dealt with here – I can’t imagine the pressure. I’d be too nervous to do it.Your career is on the line with every source you deal with.
CAROLINE: So what’s your bottom line?
RYAN: It’s an intriguing and aggravating story. The storytelling is good but it’s not a must see in the theater.
