So I'm 24 minutes into the film inspired by, but not based on, the press stories outing Valerie Plame. On the one hand part of me is really into this. It's very well directed (by Rod Lurie) and already it's clear that Vera Farmiga is going to knock this out of the park as the Plame character. But some of the rest of the casting is abysmal. Noah Wyle mistakes shouting and jerky body movements for being powerful, insightful, and gruff, and Kate Beckinsale, yeesh. Unless she's fighting Lycans she always seems to have the fortitude of a not especially bright, social-climbing 22 year old. The idea that she's supposed to be a veteran national reporter at the major DC paper, I'm not buying it. No.
A little over one hour in the fact that Beckinsale is weak and her character is a little dim and irritating aren't bringing this down since happily she's spending much of the movie in jail (and by happily I mean happily we don't have to watch her all the time). The movie continues to be very good - and something it would be worthwhile for law, journalism and intel students to watch. And Farmiga continues to impress. I'm thinking she may have been robbed of an Oscar nomination last year.
And it's over. That is a great movie, and one that should definitely be taught in classes dealing with the US government, journalism, and intelligence. And happily by the end Beckinsale's improved a good bit.
Posted by armand at May 29, 2009 10:45 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Movies