Movie Review: Fair Game

In this movie based on a true story, Valarie Plame is an undercover CIA operative who lives two lives. Ambassador Joe Wilson, Plame’s husband, is the only person other than the CIA who knows she is undercover. When Wilson writes an op-ed article criticizing the Bush administration over false intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq, Plame’s identity as a CIA operative is revealed for political motives. The revelation causes havoc with Plame’s marriage, endangers her life and threatens the safety of her informants.

Sean Penn and Naomi Watts are both excellent here, elevating the film with their fine performances, and the supporting cast is also very good. The characters are interesting and the story is well written, showing the inner workings of Plame’s life as she tries to survive the monumental backlash of her outing. The direction, camera work, and art direction here are top notch.

This is a good film that accurately describes the political fiasco surrounding Plame’s outing. If you like great acting and enjoy political intrigue you’ll enjoy Fair Game.

2010. Directed by Doug Liman. Starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Brooke Smith, Jessica Hecht, Rebecca Rigg, Norbert Leo Butz, Ty Burrell and Bruce McGill.

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