Nothing but the Truth at the Boulder Film Festival

Nothing But the Truth, the opening-night attraction for the Thursday, February 12, launch of the Boulder International Film Festival, is an old-fashioned Hollywood flick in the best sense of the term. The plot, about a reporter (Kate Beckinsale) who goes to jail à la New York Times lightning rod Judith Miller rather than give up her primary source on a story that unmasks a CIA agent (Vera Farmiga), combines two venerable genres: the ripped-from-the-headlines yarn and the newspaper movie. Yet director Rod Lurie freshens these elements via tight construction, brisk pacing and offbeat casting. Beckinsale excels despite looking more spectacular than any print reporter in history, while Matt Dillon, David Schwimmer and Noah Wylie broaden their familiar images in unexpected ways. Occasional speechifying aside, Truth crackles like primo popular fiction.

The entertainment begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th Street, that includes a performance by Chris Daniels & the Kings. The film unspools at 8, followed by a conversation with director Lurie. Tickets are $35 plus a service charge, and VIP packages are available. Get details about this event and the entire slate of films by phoning 303-449-2283 or by visiting www.biff1.com — and read a Q&A with Lurie at blogs.westword.com/latestword.