The film is heavily inspired by the real-life 2003 Valerie Plame scandal. Rachel Armstrong (played by Kate Beckinsale) is a journalist for a national newspaper who publishes an article about a CIA operative's involvement in a secret mission. Following the publication, Rachel is summoned to court by the government demanding that she reveal the identity of the source who provided her with the information.
Rachel refuses to disclose her source, citing the First Amendment's protection for freedom of the press. When she is jailed for contempt of court, her lawyer, Albert Burnside (played by Alan Alda), launches a legal battle to appeal her case all the way to the Supreme Court. The case becomes a national spectacle, pitting the government's right to protect classified information against the media's role in holding the government accountable for its actions.
The film also explores Rachel's personal life and the impact the case has on her family, particularly her husband, played by David Schwimmer. As the legal battle intensifies, Rachel must decide whether to continue to protect her source or give in to the government's demands to secure her freedom.
Nothing But the Truth is a gripping courtroom drama that delves into the complex issues of national security, the role of the press, and the limits of individual freedoms. The strong performances from its cast, particularly Kate Beckinsale and Alan Alda, make the film a compelling and thought-provoking watch.