

As a renowned producer and close associate of Dan Rather, Mary Mapes believes she’s broken the biggest story of the 2004 election: revelations of a sitting U.S. President’s military service. But when allegations come pouring in, sources change their stories, document authenticity is questioned, and the casualties begin to mount.
Acting
Blanchett's spiral is masterclass-level breakdown.
Direction
Vanderbilt turns office meetings into thriller sequences.
Writing
Dialogue that makes journalism feel like combat.

Director
James Vanderbilt
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film adapts Mapes's own memoir, making it a fascinating case of a subject controlling her own cinematic autopsy.
Robert Redford had been trying to play Dan Rather for over a decade; the real Rather later called the film 'absolutely accurate' despite his minimal involvement.