Kill The Messenger hinges on the audience's familiarity, or lack thereof, with Gary Webb and his Dark Alliance expose on the CIA funding the Nicaraguan contra rebels with drug money; the final title card even points out how the discovery was overshadowed in the press because of The Lewinsky Scandal. It is somewhat ironic, then, that Jeremy Renner's passion project, in which he plays Webb during the investigation, has been so totally ignored by audiences. Using the little-known story to craft an All The President's Men-style thriller, Kill The Messenger is primarily dealing with the journalistic process and the extent integrity can be pushed to. It's a smart way to tackle the story, allowing the audience to see not only the details, but also the barriers that needed to be overcome to bring them to light. As the key proponent behind the project (he also produces), this is clearly Renner's film. He is much more at home in character-driven dramas rather than big budget blockbusters, which is incredibly clear here - anyone who blames the actor for the snubbing of Hawkeye in The Avengers would change their tune after seeing Kill The Messenger. It also boasts the best use of Mott The Hoople's Sea Diver in a film imaginable, using its final flourish to present Webb's modest dreams, which alone is enough to make it a worthy watch.
