gdw1948 Reviews

The Whole Truth (2016)

Good qualities, but some questionable aspects

[6/10 · 26 February 2023]

The Whole Truth is an absorbing courtroom drama. Courtney Hunt's directing is solid and the actors' performances convincing. And to its credit, The Whole Truth does a good job of articulating subtleties in the communication and relationships among the characters.

However, the extensive use of flashbacks to show that everyone is lying raises some questions in this viewer's mind. Does the film go too far in depicting the justice system as corrupt and flawed? Does it foster an exaggerated sense that truth and justice are hopeless causes? That the outcomes of trials are arbitrary and untrustworthy? In short, does the film portray a falsely bleak vision of reality?

But to close on a positive, the unexpected ending is deftly presented.

And While We Were Here (2012)

brutally dishonest

[2/10 · 19 August 2019]

This is a deeply flawed film. Using the wizardry of Hollywood it presents a fantasy with the twisted moral that men are objects to be used by women to the extent that, and for as long as, they are useful to them. Then they are to be abandoned. "And While We Were Here" undermines commitment to family. By writing into the script an inability of the woman to have children the filmmakers believe they have neatly sidestepped the issue and that it need not be considered, but that is completely dishonest sleight of hand. The audience they hope to influence is not limited to women who are unable to have children, and even if it were, this is not a positive model.

Kate Bosworth, of course, is beautiful and frequently highlights the scenery. I hope she finds ways to use her beauty and talents for more worthy purposes.