Generally, I really look forward to a film with some creative involvement from Robert Redford. Ever since his first appearances with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and 1973’s The Sting I have been impressed with his screen presence. This is a guy who has appeared as an actor in over 70 films, produced 43 films directed 10 films and established the Sundance Institute for aspiring filmmakers. He was a moving force behind Alan Pakula’s All the President’s Men in 1976, co-produced and directed 1994’s Quiz Show, and in 2010 directed The Conspirator, a period drama around the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Redford last appeared on our screen in 2013’s All Is Lost in which he is compelling as a solitary sailor lost at sea. He was the only cast member and the film had almost no dialogue.
To the present film- it is a political docudrama which focuses on the Killian documents controversy and news reports making allegations about then- President George W. Bush’s military service. It is based on Mary Mapes’ memoir Truth and Duty: The Press, the President and the Privilege of Power. The film features two very strong leads with Cate Blanchett as TV news producer Mary Mapes and Robert Redford as news anchor Dan Rather. While the story could suffer from our knowing the outcome before it starts, the possibility of drawing us in by showing us in detail how the characters arrive at their ultimate fates could be compelling (in the style of All the President’s Men). Considering President Bush succeeded in winning a second term in 2004 this film has surely sparked a lot of controversy in the U.S. abroad , we might be a little less trigger-happy to judge either way. Even the words used in the publicity intrigue me- “Truth” as a simple contraction of the title of Mapes’ memoir and not necessarily some lofty ideal. the word “privilege” in the several connotations it might generate. There is an arresting User Review on IMDb under the title “when covering the news turns into covering your ass” which I commend to your attention after you’ve seen the movie as he is definitely from the “nay” camp. Regardful of his final resting place , he has given it a lot of thought and I respect that.
Dazzle or Fizzle this film has excited a lot of dialogue- witness the 32 user reviews on IMDb. I haven’t dared venture on the other Critics sites but I will certainly be out for tonight’s movie !
LINKS
www.imdb.com/title/tt3859076
truth-the-movie.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_2015_film)
www.rottentomatoes.com/m/truth_2015
www.fandango.com/truth2015_186596/movieoverview