10 Underrated Recent Movies That Deserve A Second Chance

3. Truth

Jason Bourne
Sony Pictures Classics

Releasing a movie starring Cate Blanchett about ethics in journalism primed for the 2016 Oscars wasn't the smartest move; that was Spotlight's year, and Tom McCarthy's slow-burner is indeed a superior movie, while it's clear any awards love for the actress would come from Carol.

Still, just because it was ignored in favour of better films doesn't mean Truth is a bait-y misfire. Far from it in fact; the film detailing an erroneous 60 Minutes report on George W. Bush's actions during the Vietnam War is a gripping newsroom drama with a strong eye on the changing face of new reporting. Add to that a great turn by Robert Redford (he's killing at the moment with little fanfare) as Dan Rather and you've got a solid couple of hours.

In focusing on the topic so explicitly and bringing one half of Woodward and Bernstein along for the ride, Truth is a lot more on the nose than Spotlight, which showed method and process in a restrained manner, rather than harping on about ethics, although that shouldn't rob from the moments of brilliance, especially Redford's monologue about the commercialisation of news, a scene that should be requisite viewing in the current political climate.

Contributor
Contributor

Film Editor (2014-2016). Loves The Usual Suspects. Hates Transformers 2. Everything else lies somewhere in the middle. Once met the Chuckle Brothers.