Film Of The Week:

This is one of those true stories that are difficult to believe, with the highest levels of government corruption resulting in one well-intentioned man’s life being ruined. Set in 1994, it starts by showing news footage of U.S. President Ronald Reagan waging his war on drugs a decade earlier (with his wife Nancy’s infamous platitude: “Just say no.”). But we soon learn that Mr. Reagan was apparently being undermined under his own nose. 

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb, played by Jeremy Renner (American Hustle, The Hurt Locker) works for the San Jose Mercury News, a relatively inconsequential paper. But after Gary is given a tip that cartels are selling drugs to the U.S. government, he stumbles upon the story of his career – that there is indeed a link between the CIA, the drug trade and the formerly U.S.-backed Contra rebels in Nicaragua. 

Of course the story is huge and Gary’s editors (Oliver Platt and Mary Elizabeth Winstead) are hesitant about running it. Does he have all the facts? What are the ramifications if they go out on a limb with the story and it doesn’t stick? The tension is built up effectively by director Michael Cuesta as they eventually go with the story, beating major papers such as the New York Times and Washington Post and earning Gary instant acclaim. 

The film also details Gary’s huge fall from grace, thanks to the government and the press discrediting him for their own reasons, and the incredibly negative impact it had on his family (with his wife played by Rosemarie DeWitt). There are veiled threats to his and his family’s safety, and you can hardly blame the guy for becoming a little paranoid. It’s a pretty chilling tale where the whistleblower is the one who’s vilified and victimised, and a sad reflection of a world where that is all too common. 

Kill the Messenger is Jeremy Renner’s film – he produced it as well as appearing in nearly every scene – and if you enjoy exposés of secrecy, intrigue and corruption such as The Insider, Good Night and Good Luck, and All The President’s Men, it’s very satisfying. It’s based on Gary Webb’s book, Dark Alliance, and Nick Schou’s book, Kill the Messenger.

by Vicki Englund