Fair Warning: This movie is a political drama, based on real events – which is based on the book written by an ex- CIA agent. It has a documentary feel to it, and if you don’t like political dramas, with no action sequences, you should stay away. But it is well-told, well-shot and well-acted. And I liked this movie!
Movie Info:
Starring: Naomi Watts and Sean Penn.
Co-starring: Noah Emmerich
Guest Appearances: Ty Burrell, Sam Shepard, Rebecca Rigg, Brooke Smith,
Made in: 2010.
Awards: Mill Valley Film Festival Award (for Best Narrative Feature), Freedom of Expression Award (National Board of Review)
Written By: Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth
Based on the Books By: Joseph Wilson (The Politics of Truth), Valerie Plame (Fair Game)
Directed By: Doug Liman (director of The Bourne Identity, Jumper, Mr. and Mrs. Smith)
Plot:
Set in the early 2000s, first term of President George W. Bush. C.I.A. Agent Valerie Plame (Naomi Watts) is happily married to ex-Ambassador Joe Wilson (Sean Penn), with two young kids. While their friends know about Joe’s career and political views, they think Valerie is working for a finance company. And while Joe is not always happy about his wife being an agent, he is supportive and understanding.
Joe gets a chance to be involved in her work, when he is sent to Nijer to see whether they are working on weapons of mass destruction. Joe’s findings indicate that they are not working on such weapons, but the Bush administration is pretty much dying to invade Iraq, so they make sure the “findings” justify the invasion. Joe is more than frustrated to see that the government is using bogus intel, so he writes an article for The New York Times, explaining what he actually found. Angry White House officials strike back by exposing Valerie’s identity, and calling Joe a liar.
Now that her identity is exposed, Valerie’s operations come to halt- risking the lives of scientists she was meant to save. Moreover, everybody finds about her and a majority is willing to label to label them both as traitors. Valerie wants to avoid exposure, while Joe is willing to seek more publicity to clear their names.
Joe’s standing up for truth risks not only their reputation, lives and finances, but their marriage as well. Can Joe succeed? Or will they lose everything, while the White House gets away with everything?
Verdict:
I was a little afraid that this movie could be disappointing when the guy at the video store frowned at my choice and asked whether I picked the movie for its actors. Well, while I really seeing enjoy Watts and Penn on the screen, I also enjoy watching politics related conspiracy theories, and real-life examples of manipulation of the public view. So, no I wasn’t bored. I don’t know if Joe and Valerie are as right as they were depicted. But I wouldn’t be surprised if everything depicted in the movie really happened.
Fair Game is engaging. It frustrates you and it challenges you. No, it is not fast. But it is solid, and worth-watching. And I really like the overall message and Joe’s actions. It is not all that hard to identify either with him and Valerie- regardless of your country.
Give it a shot. Currently 7.0 on IMDB, which I find a little underrated.
Favorite Lines/Scenes:
– When a full class doesn’t know the 16 words George W. Bush used that led them to war, but they all knew that his wife’s name was Valeri Plame
Joe Wilson (Sean Penn): when did the question move from why are we going to war to who is this man’s wife? I asked the first question.
– Valerie’s friend (Brooke Smith): So do you have lovers all over the world? Do you have a gun? Have you killed people?
Valerie (Naomi Watts): I can’t tell you anything.
Friend: You can’t tell me anything. OK. So you wanna go shopping?
Fun notes:
– Modern Family’s Phil Ty Burrell has a short role as a friend of the couple.
– Grey’s Anatomy’s Brooke Smith has a short role as a friend. She played the cardiologist Erica Kahn for 23 episodes in Grey’s Anatomy.
– Rebecca Rigg, who also plays a friend, is the real life wife of The Mentalist star Simon Baker.
Also on Naomi Watts:
The Painted Veil with Naomi Watts and Edward Norton
The International starring Clive Owen & Naomi Watts
Dangerous Beauty starring Rufus Sewell & Catherine McCormack feat. Naomi Watts
Also on Sean Penn
Taps starring Timothy Hutton, Tom Cruise and Sean Penn
Also on Noah Emmerich
Beyond Borders starring Clive Owen, Angelina Jolie & Noah Emmerich
Beautiful Girls starring Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Uma Thurman, Natalie Portman and Mira Sorvino
Pride and Glory with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell
