Review of Truth (2015) by Spangle — 07 Oct 2017

Following the release of Truth in 2015, Dan Rather - who is portrayed by Robert Redford in the film - was asked what he thought about the film and its accuracy. In his response, he stated that, "I think it's the best thing that's ever been up on the big screen about how television news really works." Considering the film pauses every few minutes to wax nostalgic about Rather, his ability as a reporter starting way back in the 1960s, the glory days of journalism, and how Rather was a beacon of light in the changing times for journalism, it is not hard to believe that Rather himself would like the film. Of course, this quote and given the context of the film itself actually manages to touch on what makes Truth go so awry. Based on a non-fiction book written by Mary Mapes - who is portrayed by Cate Blanchett - the film explores CBS News and 60 Minutes' reporting on the Killian documents that seemed to discredit George W. Bush's service in the National Guard. As the book is by Mapes and the story is about Mapes and how she and her team were misled on a story, it is not hard to imagine this film as bein unwilling to criticize either her or her team. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens and the film suffers for this "kid gloves" approach to its protagonists and their takes on the direction of journalism. A mixed bag, Truth is a film that has all of the makings of a great journalism film, but one of the follow through.

As a result, it is hard to not see Truth's greatest issue as being its source material. As it is written by Mapes who idolized Rather and, obviously, stands by her reporting, the film approaches both with no venom whatsoever. Instead, let's both of the hook - especially Mapes and her team - for accepting obvious copies as the real documents and forcing out a story that had some good reporting behind it, but was probably a few confirmations away from being good to go. Even then, once it was discredited and retracted, it is hard to stand by that reporting as being done in furtherance of a truly accurate story. Yet, the film seems to not understand that Mapes and her team got it wrong. Defiant in its denial, Truth seems unaware of the fact the memos were forgeries or that the team was entirely misled by their sources. While the story the film tells about the reporting behind the Killian documents story is compelling, it is hard to see this as a definitive telling of that story. Rather, it feels like Mapes making her case that she was actually in the right due to some perceived journalistic duty to report the story. Unfortunately, this ultimately gives way to conspiracy theories. Though her closing speech about the current state of journalism review by the public being that of nit-picking, yelling, and smear tactics, may make some strong - though heavy-handed - points, it nonetheless screams of hypocrisy. Arguing that people base their opinions on a select few facts that only serve to further their own point - which she is right about - Truth falls into the same trap. In a monologue for reporter Mike Smith (Topher Grace), he argues that CBS News is only pulling the story due to pressure from the White House, who had previously done Viacom a deal to ensure they could keep all of their current affiliates. Citing this apparent relationship as the reason why the story gets squashed, the film also focuses in on the political leanings of the men tasked with investigating Mapes and her reporting, naming one individual as a former Attorney under Bush Sr. and a friend of the Bush family. While certainly biased, the film seems to be lining up its cards to position this as a Conservative conspiracy to discredit Mary Mapes and her work when, in reality, SHE GOT THE STORY WRONG. It was wrong. Bottom line. At best, the film comes off as delusional for seemingly not understanding that the story reported by 60 Minutes was wrong. Though it accuses people of shouting to obfuscate points made by those they disagree with or focusing on conspiracy theories about the opposing side, the film falls into the same traps and points the finger at some shady dealings between Viacom and the government. Whether or not they are right that Bush and Viacom were close friends, it does nothing to change the point that the document that is used to base the entire story around is hardly the most trustworthy document in written history. There may be ulterior motives, who knows, but the film does nothing but point fingers and yell about it, while failing to actually offer any evidence that it is true.