Fair Game: Great Movie for Grown-Ups

“Fair Game” is a movie for grown-ups. That of course means that no one will go see it. Since the 21st century began, adults have completely lost interest in films made for grown-ups. They only want to see movies made for children and teenagers. If there’s no adolescent quality to the movie, adults won’t touch it.

This is sad because “Fair Game” is one of the best American films of the year, and watching it is a thrilling experience. It tells the true story of Valerie Plame, the covert CIA officer whose life was endangered when her cover was blown by senior officials in the Bush Administration. The film is intelligent and serious but also fast-moving and dramatic. Naomi Watts portrays Ms. Plame, and Sean Penn plays her husband. Both provide under-stated, highly realistic performances that bring the Plame family to life in a vibrant way. The film gets slightly preachy at the end, but for the most part it is level-headed and fair, letting the facts speak for themselves.

Part of why “Fair Game” works so well is that the director, Doug Liman, is an expert in edge-of-your-seat drama. His previous films include “The Bourne Identity” (2002) and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (2005). Here he brings all those entertainment talents to bear on a serious drama. The selection of Liman as director was an inspired choice on the part of the producers.

In addition to learning about the political ruthlessness of Washington, the viewer of “Fair Game” gets an unprecedented lesson in how the CIA functions. This is not only important, it surprisingly also is gripping cinema. I’ve always wondered what it must be like to work there, and what kinds of secrecy people live under. As an example, Plame’s family (her husband and her parents) know that she works at the CIA, but that’s all they know. They have no idea what she actually does. When she goes on international travel, which is often, she lies to her husband and says she’s going to a city in the United States. Her friends are even more in the dark. They think she works at a venture capital outfit. When Plame is “outed” in the national media, it is fascinating to watch her friends confront her with their jaws hanging open. “Valerie, it says in the paper that you work for the CIA.” One of them also asks in a frightened voice, “Have you killed people?” Plame comes clean about being a CIA officer for almost 20 years, but does not give them any more information.

Another aspect of the CIA life that is particularly tough is the knowledge that if your cover is blown, your entire family is in danger. As the mother of two small children, Plame knows this better than anyone. “Fair Game” doesn’t get emotionally manipulative with regard to Plame’s children, but it reminds us many times that Plame is a mother. Their safety cuts to the heart of what makes this Washington “scandal” so disturbing. “Fair Game” is must-see viewing for anyone who cares about current events and anyone who enjoys great movies.