Nothing But the Truth

Nothing But the Truth

Year: 2008

Runtime: 108 min

Language: English

Director: Rod Lurie

DramaThriller

In the midst of political chaos, intrepid journalist Rachel Armstrong's explosive exposé on a government scandal lands her in a battle for truth. When a ruthless prosecutor demands she reveal her source, Rachel's refusal sends her to jail, forcing her to confront the moral costs of her craft and defend the integrity that has defined her career.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Nothing But the Truth yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Nothing But the Truth (2008)
Trace every key event in Nothing But the Truth (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Assassination Attempt

President Lyman becomes the target of an assassination attempt that shakes the political landscape in the U.S. As a direct consequence, the government retaliates by launching a bombing campaign on Venezuela, blaming the country for the attack and escalating tensions between the nations.

United States
2

Rachel's Investigation Begins

Rachel Armstrong, a determined reporter, uncovers allegations that the Lyman administration deceived Congress and the public about the assassination attempt. She discovers a CIA report indicating that there was no connection between Venezuela and the attack, compelling her to prepare the story for publication.

Washington D.C.
3

Confrontation with Erica

Rachel confronts CIA operative Erica Van Doren at a soccer game, discussing the implications of the memo she holds as evidence against the government. Despite Erica's denial of any involvement, tensions rise as Rachel presses for answers about the CIA's actions.

Soccer Field
4

Report Publication

Confident in her findings, Rachel publishes her report, which quickly garners attention across major news outlets. Her editor Bonnie and legal counsel Avril support her efforts, providing a strong backing amid the growing crisis.

Capital Sun-Times Office
5

CIA's Response

The CIA becomes aware of Rachel's report, raising suspicions within the agency regarding a potential leak. Erica's supervisor Merill begins an internal investigation, leading to polygraph tests for agency employees to trace the source of the information.

CIA Headquarters
6

Grand Jury Assembly

Special prosecutor Patton Dubois organizes a grand jury to investigate the leak connected to Rachel's story. The situation intensifies as the possibility of charges against anyone involved in revealing a covert operative's identity looms over the agency.

7

Rachel's Imprisonment

Refusing to divulge her source, Rachel is imprisoned for contempt of court. Her lawyer, Albert Burnside, is taken aback by the severity of the judge's decision, reflecting the dire circumstances surrounding Rachel's unwavering stance on protecting her source.

Courtroom
8

Pressure on Erica

As Erica faces mounting pressure within the CIA, she becomes increasingly frustrated with the agency's neglect. She threatens to expose confidential details, realizing that her precarious position puts her custody battle over her daughter at risk.

CIA Headquarters
9

Erica's Murder

Tragically, Erica is murdered outside her home, escalating the stakes for Rachel. This shocking event intensifies the urgency behind Rachel's fight to protect her source and reveals the dangerous repercussions of their investigation.

Erica's Home
10

Harassment and Estrangement

During her time in prison, Rachel faces harassment from inmates while her relationships with her husband and son deteriorate. Facing fines that accumulate daily against her newspaper for her refusal to disclose her source, Rachel remains resolute.

Prison
11

Court Appeals

Burnside appeals Rachel's case all the way to the Supreme Court, arguing the critical importance of protecting journalistic sources. Their decision ultimately sides against Rachel, a setback that highlights the fragile balance between press freedom and national security.

Supreme Court
12

Release from Incarceration

Eventually, the judge decides that Rachel's continued imprisonment serves no purpose and orders her release, highlighting the lack of formal charges. However, just as she begins to step out, prosecutor Dubois intervenes, leading to further complications.

Courtroom
13

Plea Deal Acceptance

Rachel is compelled to accept a plea deal involving a two-year sentence with the possibility of early parole. This decision reflects the overwhelming pressure she faces to protect herself while still valuing the integrity of her source.

Courtroom
14

Reflection on Timmy's School

While being transported to prison, Rachel reminisces about volunteering at Timmy's school, recalling a conversation with Alison, Erica's daughter. This innocent exchange reveals critical information about Erica's CIA ties and the events that led to Rachel's predicament.

Timmy's School

Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 21:53

Similar Movies to Nothing But the Truth
Discover movies like Nothing But the Truth that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.