Spies, lies and DVDs

WHEN a colleague passed a black DVD cover to me, telling me that I would love this film, it’s safe to say I was a little worried.
Ever the movie connoisseur, Mr Beck’s two loves are guns and explosions – not quite my cup of tea.
But as the pre-film credits rolled, I was pleasantly surprised.
Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, former ER heart-throb Noah Wyle and Alan Alda make up just some of the familiar faces that make this movie, along with the gripping storyline, great.
What’s not to like?
A journalist (Beckinsale) is sent to jail because she won’t reveal her source on the biggest story of her career – that just might bring the government, and the President, down.
This movie had me at hello.
The acting performance of Beckinsale beside a star-studded cast was enthralling, taking viewers on a rollercoaster ride as her life outside fell apart.
With a “loving” husband on the outside and a young son missing his mother, Rachel Armstrong (Beckinsale) decides she must stick to her guns to maintain her integrity.
But the stand-out performance was from Vera Farmiga, who played the foul-mouthed, outed CIA agent.
Hate her character or not, it was a brilliant performance.
All that said, this movie would have to be one of the best I have seen in a while. The acting performances were terrific and the storyline was gripping until the very last minute – well, I’m sure it would have been if the disc didn’t freeze with 10 minutes to go.
I still don’t know the ending – but if a certain colleague presents me with another copy, I won’t hesitate to watch it all over again.
– Melissa Meehan