5 reviews for The whole truth
You must be logged in to post a review.
The whole truth
by David Baldacci
Description:
“Matt, I need a war.” So begins David Baldacci’s new book–a thriller unlike any he’s written before. “Matt” is Mathew Pender, of Pender Associates–a shadowy organization that specializes in managing seemingly impossible situations for its clients. Sometimes, those services extend to managing–and creating–armed conflict. When Matt Pender is asked by his client–the largest defense contractor in the world–to manipulate two nations against each other, a shocking and surprising series of events are set in motion that will possibly bring the world to the brink of World War III.* In this epic thriller with a global backdrop, David Baldacci delivers all the twists and turns, compelling characters, and can’t-put-it-down pacing that readers have come to expect from this master storyteller.
About The Author
Baldacci began writing stories as a child, when his mother gave him a notebook in which to record them. He wrote for more than two decades, penning short stories and later screenplays without much success.
While practicing law, he turned to novel writing, taking three years to write Absolute Power. Published in 1996, it was an international best seller. To date, Baldacci has published 31 best-selling novels for adults as well as five novels for younger readers.
Skryf Review
“Excellent Reading”
Naman
Did you like those old Perry Mason shows? Are you an attorney? If you answered yes to either of those questions it’s likely you’ll enjoy “The Whole Truth”. What this movie does well is slowly reveal the truth, very slowly. In the mean time it shows a kind of love of the law itself. How it can be worked to an unlikely outcome, yet one that has some legs as in “well, I didn’t see that coming”. To a viewer that is not particularly connected to TV law or isn’t even that interested in it, let alone being an attorney, there is still quite a compelling story here. Granted it takes the strangeness of an accused killer attempting to protect someone besides himself. But, who?As I write this the rating for “The Whole Truth” is hovering around 6.5 and I’ve got to think it’s just a bit low. This film is better and the reason is that it shows a lot about people and the law. Sure, an attorney could love this, but it’s more than that. It’s about how a pat situation isn’t always pat, at least when it comes to a critical mass in court. It’s about different party’s agendas colliding with something huge at stake. It’s about what you think you know, but in reality you don’t because it comes down to just a compacted courtroom re-casting of even less. It’s a chess game, but one in which there’s more than two players. There’s at least three and within the three there is some tremendous manipulation. So, whose the master manipulator whose agenda prevailed? And who are the parties that got played? It can’t be denied these are fantastic questions. They’re woven well too. I was never bored watching this movie even if it moved quite slowly and revealed little to nothing until the final third. This kind of enigmatic progression worked expertly building up to a real “home run” ending where there was a huge turn of events.Keanu Reeves isn’t right for every role. His detached acting skills seemed spot-on here. He played poker with the big boys even though, as actually happens, he lucked into his final courtroom victory. But, as the movie closes the question looms if he was ultimately the played one has to be addressed in ways you wouldn’t have seen coming. That’s what I call a great ending to an otherwise good courtroom drama. It raised the bar, and the rating.
Havisha
The Whole Truth is a courtroom drama. If you’re not up for that, then don’t watch it. Courtroom dramas take place in a courtroom. If you’re not up for a movie that primarily takes place in a courtroom, then don’t watch it. If you like courtroom dramas however, this is sure to please. The closest I can compare this to is perhaps Primal Fear. Keanu Reeves plays a defense attorney who is tasked with representing a client (relative of a friend actually) who refuses to speak. The happenings in the courtroom are complimented with speculative flashbacks (could it have happened this way or maybe it happened that way). As things unfold we learn that there is a deeper conspiracy at play that I won’t go into because that would spoil it. Suffice it to say, for a movie that was less than two hours long and primarily was shot in one location (the courtroom) I never got bored. This is no work of genius, mind you; it’s not A Few Good Men nor is it To Kill A Mockingbird–but it’s pretty damn good nevertheless. So if you like courtroom dramas, do check it out.
Helly
There’s nothing like a good courtroom thriller. The thing I love about them is that everything can’t possible be as it seems, because otherwise there would be no point in making the movie. There’s nothing at all interesting about a straightforward court case, however one with a twist is a thing to behold. The only problem with this is that a lot of them end up getting rated purely on the strength of their twist. Everything that has happened up until that point can tend to be forgotten. That’s sort of the case again here. A solid, but not stunning movie comes alive with a very strong ending, and it certainly adds some plus points to the final opinion of the film.I tend to really like Keanu Reeves thrillers. A lot of his dramas and sci-fi films are completely forgettable, but when he signs on to a thriller it often seems to turn out very good. Renee Zellweger on the other hand is far from a personal favourite of mine. She has a serious lack of charisma and her appearance change is very distracting in this film. I feel like there are a lot of actresses who could have done a better job in this role.’The Whole Truth’ is a film that is entertaining throughout, partly because you are almost certain there is a twist coming, and partly because the story is well written and movies at a good pace. Then at the end it goes Bang! I really enjoyed this film and I think any thriller lovers out there will have a good time with it too.
Anupama
“Presumed Innocent” had more than 25 years ago, but didn’t even come close. The surprise twist at the end, was too pat, too staged, and was a serious reach in credulity. The attempt to make the audience wonder on what Reeves character would do at the end, didn’t cut it either. Its worth the watch, but not worth more than a 6 of 10, as far as drama goes. Keanu Reeves is good as always, but he is still a pretty wooden actor. And sometimes his So Cal accent, still comes through. Renée Zellweger was astonishing. I didn’t even recognize her. She might get an Oscar nod here.Gugu Mbatha-Raw is great as always. I’ve seen her in three films, and her transformative powers are astonishing. An Oscar nod is definitely in her future.