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CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives November 2010 | Read the full SECTION

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Fair Game is the true story of Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson. Plame (Naomi Watts) was a CIA agent working in the Weapons of Mass Destruction department investigating Iraq and other Middle East nations after 9/11. Her husband, Joe Wilson (Sean Penn), is a U.S. Ambassador who was brought in by the CIA to investigate a possible link with a uranium deal with Saddam Hussein and Africa. Wilson found no connection and filed his report accordingly. It went straight to the White House who quickly dismissed it and forged ahead to invade Iraq anyway. Wilson quickly fought back and published an article in the New York Times defending his report. The White House’s response was to out Valerie Plame as a secret agent for the CIA and discredit Wilson. Plame’s career was ruined, Wilson was ostracized and this country went to war under false pretense.
The film was directed by Doug Liman and written by Jez and John-Henry Butterworth based on two books written both by Plame and Wilson. It is the first-hand account of these events by the two people who were at the center of the storm and a side untold by the government and the media who previously seemed to own this story. This action-thriller is a terrific film with strong performances by Penn and Watts. My only complaint about the film is with Doug Liman who may not have been the perfect choice for director. He is a great director but has spent the majority of his career making action films like The Bourne Identity and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Fair Game is not a true action film but through Liman, it feels so at times with his camera work and editing.
Fair Game tells the story of a shameful chapter in American history and should disturb its audience because of what happened to these two fine Americans. To this day, no one has been made accountable for this treason and Iraq proved to be an abomination. In hindsight it’s hard to know which is more disturbing, the actions of our government or the lack of law and order because of it.
Fair Game opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, November 5.

Arts & Entertainment Web Exclusive | CITYSunTimes November 2010