I did not want to see this movie. When the blaring previews subsided and the film began, I constructed a plan to slip out of the theater and go to the movie I thought Husband 2.0, I and our friend had agreed to see. The one that Husband 2.0 and I'd purchased tickets to see. The one we realized wasn't anywhere near starting when we entered an empty theater–which is when I learned from our friend that we'd have a disconnect about what movie we'd agreed upon seeing.
I had no idea what Fair Game was about, even after Husband 2.0 turned to our friend and asked if the lead character was "Valerie Plame," But at some moment, I did. I realized this wasn't a blood-and-guts detective film as I thought my friend had portrayed it. It was about guts and lives and lost livelihoods. But the plot was about how former George W. Bush's assistant for national security, Scooter Libby, had outed the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame in retaliation for her husband, former ambassador, Joe Wilson's outspoken opposition and insistence in exposing the truth that the reasons for the U.S. going to war with Iraq were bogus.
This is a movie worthy of bundling up and bracing the cold and then hunkering down in a dark theater with a bag of popcorn. It's suspenseful. And, unfortunately, not fictitious. Sean Penn has become so gifted at his craft that he just does it. Convincingly. With finesse as though he's not even trying that hard.
Near the end, I scrambled through my purse's interior searching for my Moleskine and pen to scribble Penn's portrayal of Joe Wilson's forceful mandate to a college audience:
[I paraphrase] Democracy is not a free ride. Whether is a pothole in the street or a president…Do your part.
As the credits rolled, it became clear this was a politically motivated film with an agenda. (Some might label it a liberal one. That's arguable.) Check it out: www.TakePart.com
I am happy I misunderstood and ended up in the movie theater that was not of my expectations. I recommend you go with intention and see Fair Game.
…"Democracy only works if you do."
