With it’s surprising competition slot at this year’s Cannes Film Festival — surprising in that it’s the director’s followup to “Jumper” — new images and a preview clip have been unveiled of Doug Liman’s much-buzzed about political thriller “Fair Game.”
The film retells the true story of undercover CIA Agent, Valerie Plame Wilson, who was outed by the White House in 2003 in an effort to discredit her journalist husband, Joseph Wilson, who had written a piece in the NY Times saying the Bush Administration had manipulated intelligence about the W.M.D. to justify the invasion of Iraq.
An early review called the pic a “tremendous, thought-provoking film [and] a wonderful human drama with political suspense that should interest anybody no matter how they vote.” Penn and Watts were touted as potential award-season contenders with their performances as the Wilsons which is seemingly backed by its spot at Cannes, an odd placement considering Liman’s past works (“The Bourne Identity,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”).
Here’s the full synopsis from the film’s page on the official Cannes website:
As a covert officer in the CIA’s Counter-Proliferation Division, Valerie leads an investigation into the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Valerie’s husband, diplomat Joe Wilson, is drawn into the investigation to substantiate an alleged sale of enriched uranium from Niger. But when the administration ignores his findings and uses the issue to support the call to war, Joe writes a New York Times editorial outlining his conclusions and igniting a firestorm of controversy.
Soon after, Valerie’s covert status is reported by a high-profile Washington journalist. With her cover blown and her overseas contacts placed in mortal danger, Valerie is pushed to the breaking point as her career and private life collapse. After years serving the government, Valerie -a mother, a wife and a field officer with an impeccable record-now struggles to save her reputation, her career and her family.
“Fair Game” premieres at the Croisette on May 20th.
