Kill the Messenger (2014)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Don't listen to the negative reviews

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

It's difficult to believe that this came out three years ago. As far as films go, what could possibly be more relevant? For those that are not familiar with the subject matter, I won't include any intentional spoilers, but it's pretty compelling.Integrity and ethics are now going extinct in the world of American journalism. Too many gave in to greed and violence, but it's difficult to hold it against those who folded. Some people will attempt to place tremendous pressure on whistleblowers, their families, and apparently anyone around them! Maybe there will come a day when enough people will stand up for integrity and ethics? Or maybe there won't be anyone left to stand up for? Anyways, good film!

Following the same investigative journalism line as All the President's Men - 1976, but for some reason without the appropriate recognition and impact, Kill the Messenger tells the true story of an American reporter, Gary Webb (played by Jeremy Renner, known for The Hurt Locker - 2008), who works in a small newspaper, San Jose Mercury News, and accidentally discovers secret documents about the US government and the war on drugs. In the face of this information, which reveal an alleged cocaine trafficking scheme into the United States, he must decide whether to protect his career, family and life or to risk unmask the case and publish the article.Right away we are presented, in a format that resembles a documentary, to a series of newspaper reports and presidential speeches from Richard Nixon (1969-1974), Gerald Ford (1974-1977), Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) to Ronald Reagan (1981-1989). They all speech against trafficking and consumption of drugs. This exposure facilitates the viewer's immersion in the story and gives greater veracity to the facts. Later, we are transported to 1996 and we follow the research promoted by the protagonist, from one suspect to another, from traffickers to politicians, and in every new revelation we can contrast the government's initial speech with the unvarnished reality of facts.We follow, step by step, everything that Gary Webb needs to do to ensure that the public will gain knowledge of something that was kept secret: observation, interviews and documentary survey. A journalist can not simply report a corrupt situation just because someone suggested it to him or because he thinks that it is incorrect. Until the article become concrete and be published there is a process to be followed in which the reporter review all the investigative material, evaluating whether there is a need to interview new sources or making new inquiries until all conflicting information is resolved. Especially if there are references to public figures, major corporations, politicians and governments, the journalist also should make sure, in the cases of legal proceedings, that he will receive legal and editorial support for article's publication. At this point we have to highlight the direction of Michael Cuesta (known for the TV series Homeland - 2011-2012), which left some open spots for the viewer to take away their own conclusions about Webb's research. Was he naive or sloppy?The script was based on the books Dark Alliance: The CIA, The Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion, written by Webb himself, and Kill the Messenger, a biography made ​​by Nick Schou. The cast, apart from the excellent performance of Jeremy Renner in the leading role, has big names as Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane - 2016), Michael Sheen (Midnight in Paris - 2011), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas - 1990) and Andy Garcia (The Godfather: Part III - 1990).The movie still stands out by reporting the pressures, blackmails, physical and psychological violence which investigative journalists suffer to carry out their work. Not only the man's integrity is hit, but also of his family. The manipulation of information is evident. Artifices as to attack the credibility of these professionals are used shamelessly to stifle the truth, since the gossip often becomes more important (it gains more prominence) than the denounce itself.Does freedom of the press really exist? Is the media free or does it suffer political, economic and social influence? What is the real role of the journalist? Are some stories too true to be told? The non-reliability of some sources completely invalidates a newspaper article to the point of turning it into a lie? Is the US government boycotting the disclosure of this story (film)? These are some of the questions that Kill the Messenger leaves up in the air.In the face of recent situations, such as the Panama Papers and the revelations of Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks, all the reflection and the unrolling brought by the plot in Kill the Messenger gain other layers of significance and meaning.Originally posted in: https://vikingbyheart.blogspot.com.br

This film tells the story of a journalist who bravely uncovers the scandalous story of the US government collaborating with drug lords to import cocaine into the USA, in order to fund an overseas operation."Kill The Messenger" is an engrossing story of how one man decides to stick with the virtue of truth, and is willing to put his career, family and even his life in danger. This story renews my respect for journalists who is on a quest to uncover the truth, even when faced with the mightiest opponent. I feel so sorry for Webb's unfortunate path after he reported the story that is too true to tell. It's even more unfortunate that the official report came out in the middle of another scandal, which meant his proof of glory went unnoticed. I find the film engaging.

Kill The Messenger is a film based on the true story of Gary Webb (played by Jeremy Renner) who is a journalist working for a small and little known newspaper called the San Jose Mercury News. When Webb stumbles upon a potential conspiracy between drug-lords and government officials to fund an illegal war in Nicaragua he realises that this is the kind of story that has the potential to put this small newspaper on the map. However, this isn't plain sailing and Webb discovers that a story as big as this can result in consequences that he couldn't possibly begin to imagine.Kill The Messenger is a film that reminded me of All The President's Men - another film where journalists uncover a major scandal. Like All The President's Men, Kill The Messenger uses archive footage presumably to try and make it more realistic and to give the audience a feel for the time and place. Unlike All The President's Men, Kill The Messenger takes place a decade or so after the event has taken place (rather than in 'real time'), but the plot mechanics are similar and see our journalist Gary Webb doing everything in his power to not only get the story, but ultimately discover the truth. Story-wise, it's a very easy film to get involved in as everyone loves to cheer on the little man and witness him uncovering the truth and taking the big boys down.A major strength with Kill The Messenger is that the filmmakers ensure that the film remains focused and the film rarely deviates from Webb's investigation - there are occasions when we're witnessing some soapy 'family stuff', but this is kept to a minimum and is warranted as it does give us an insight into the impact of how uncovering a big story and doing everything you can to find the truth can also have a detrimental effect on those around you. Good direction and writing help to keep the film on track, but this is enhanced by a good central performance by Jeremy Renner. As the heart of the film, Renner had to be at the top of the game to make us be able to feel and identify with the character and he succeeds in achieving this objective.All in all, Kill The Messenger is well worth watching particularly if you like conspiracy thrillers. If you've seen All The President's Men and enjoyed that film then I'm almost certain that you'll enjoy this film.