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.
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.