Fair Game

Name: Fair Game
Genre: Action, Biography, Drama, Thriller
Released: November 5, 2010
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Naomi Watts, Sean Penn

2010

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Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 99 Ratings

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6.8

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6.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 99 Ratings

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Fair Game

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Movie Details & Credits

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: November 5, 2010 | PG-13

Starring: Naomi Watts, Sean Penn

Summary: A suspense-filled glimpse into the deark corridors of political power, Fair Game is a riveting action-thriller based on the autobiography of real-life undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame, whose career was destroyed and marriage strained to its limits when her covert identity was exposed by a politically motivated press leak. [SummitA suspense-filled glimpse into the deark corridors of political power, Fair Game is a riveting action-thriller based on the autobiography of real-life undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame, whose career was destroyed and marriage strained to its limits when her covert identity was exposed by a politically motivated press leak. [Summit Entertainment]… Expand

Director: Doug Liman

Genre(s): Action, Biography, Drama, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

Nathan Rabin

Nov 4, 2010

It's ultimately a tale of heroism in the face of fearsome, powerful opposition, but as stubborn pride masquerading as ideological purity proves Wilson's Achilles heel, the film's heroes reveal themselves as flawed to an almost fatal extent, and messily, fascinatingly human. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Pete Hammond

Nov 1, 2010

With first-rate performances from Sean Penn and Naomi Watts and a compelling script, this suspenseful, taut drama should keep audiences nailed to their seats. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Nov 5, 2010

Though based on a true story with a well-known outcome, Doug Liman's Fair Game is as suspenseful as any fictional thriller -- and considerably more tragic. Read full review

Steven Rea

Nov 4, 2010

Watts gives a deep and Oscar-worthy performance here, displaying the steely composure that made Plame a valued NOC (non-official cover operative). Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Nov 4, 2010

It seems to be doing everything right but still doesn't manage to leave you with a completely satisfied feeling. Read full review

Peter Travers

Nov 4, 2010

Spends too much time covering ground well known from the headlines. But the scenes of the couple at home with their children and friends are uniquely fascinating, if not, in Wilson's words, "very 007-ish." Read full review

Justin Chang

Nov 1, 2010

Fair Game serves up impeccable politics with a bit too much righteous outrage and not quite enough solid drama. Read full review

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User Reviews

Brooklyn

Dec 9, 2010

Most know the story, or should, but it needed to be re-told. Can't remember the last time I left a theater more moved by a film, although in this case I was shaking in anger. It's a wonder that such a corrupt administration was elected . . . twice, but I guess people who can deny globalMost know the story, or should, but it needed to be re-told. Can't remember the last time I left a theater more moved by a film, although in this case I was shaking in anger. It's a wonder that such a corrupt administration was elected . . . twice, but I guess people who can deny global warning, who imagine that tax cuts are constant with controlling budget deficits and that breaks for the wealthiest 1% somehow help the economy can similarly rationalize the outing of a true patriot who dedicated her life to serve her country in dangerous and important work.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

10sne1

Jun 9, 2011

This is a geopolitical thriller. It would be widely entertaining were it not for the fact that it is based on real events in very recent global history in which a corrupt White House coddled officials who were guilty of treason in outing a CIA official, leaving valuable American assetsThis is a geopolitical thriller. It would be widely entertaining were it not for the fact that it is based on real events in very recent global history in which a corrupt White House coddled officials who were guilty of treason in outing a CIA official, leaving valuable American assets around the world twisting in the wind, and then getting the media to Blame the Victim by painting Plame as a low-level insignificant paper pusher and not the high-level agent she actually was. Yes, of course that's a biased statement. But no one comes to this film unbiased. Ideologies dictate how one will respond to this powerful denoument of sleaze and connivance at the highest levels of power. If you like Bush-Cheaney you hate this vile besmirching of their unimpeachable character. Of course you do. I fear the degree to which voting Americans are handing over their birthright to the loudest shouter or the richest contributor. As a line in the film reminds us, Benjamin Franklin replied to a woman that "I have given you a republic, madam. Now it's your job to keep it." We are in danger of losing it. And oh, by the way, Naomi Watts embodies Valerie Plame so convincingly that you have to blink twice at the end to realize you're watching Plame testifying before the congressional committee, not Watts playing Plame.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

tethysdust

Mar 12, 2017

It's a very interesting (and apparently fairly accurate in many respects) representation of the scandal surrounding the outing of an American CIA agent's identity and the events surrounding the invasion of Iraq. Most of us probably remember a lot of the details from news at the time, but IIt's a very interesting (and apparently fairly accurate in many respects) representation of the scandal surrounding the outing of an American CIA agent's identity and the events surrounding the invasion of Iraq. Most of us probably remember a lot of the details from news at the time, but I think this neatly encapsulates the situation to preserve a sense of it for the future.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NRNSW

Oct 4, 2015

Quite good performances from the lead actors, with a fairly believable plot. Seemed to be quite reminiscent of House of Cards - particular with the similar casting.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Nov 24, 2010

You probably remember the story of exposed CIA agent Valerie Flame, but if you're like most of us, don't really know the details. This film sets up her career before the scandal, dissects how it happened and shows how it affected her marriage. This is a straightforward political drama thatYou probably remember the story of exposed CIA agent Valerie Flame, but if you're like most of us, don't really know the details. This film sets up her career before the scandal, dissects how it happened and shows how it affected her marriage. This is a straightforward political drama that unfolds with lots of dialogue, strong performances (Naomi Watts, Sean Penn) and mild outrage at the political machinations. Director Doug Liman keeps the camera moving and the pace taut, but it's not really suspenseful or grippingâ… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

Compi24

May 22, 2020

Director Doug Liman relates the true-to-life story of Valerie Plame to the big screen in "Fair Game," a mostly dry political horror story that occasionally brings some important subjects to the proverbial table for discussion. Simply being alive during the events depicted in the film helpedDirector Doug Liman relates the true-to-life story of Valerie Plame to the big screen in "Fair Game," a mostly dry political horror story that occasionally brings some important subjects to the proverbial table for discussion. Simply being alive during the events depicted in the film helped quite a bit in terms of conjuring up enjoyment. "Oh, yeah, I remember hearing about this." "So that's what she and her husband were really going through? Yeesh." The investment was present, sure, but there was more work happening on my part than I'm typically used to. There's also something to be said for the differences in either half of this movie's running time. It takes a minute to get into the actual intrigue, but once you're there, it's all good stuff. Yell-y Sean Penn. Crying Naomi Watts. The works. The first half, however, suffers from a sluggish pace and a minutely evident lack of narrative direction. Again, though, once stuff eventually goes down, everything ends up just slightly above water.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

no1dude

Nov 21, 2010

I am saddened by what passes for movies these days. Completely unengaging in all aspects. Nothing but a cluster of "scenes" that are thrown together with hand held, close-up camera work, which is used by directors that don't know how to make movies. Utilizes the dreaded TV Drama "formula"I am saddened by what passes for movies these days. Completely unengaging in all aspects. Nothing but a cluster of "scenes" that are thrown together with hand held, close-up camera work, which is used by directors that don't know how to make movies. Utilizes the dreaded TV Drama "formula" most of the time. If I see one more scene that has three people walking down a hallway like they are "on a mission", spewing all important information one after the other, in place of actually developing a story and characters............... I will puke.
This movie, like most of the crap coming out these days, is an utter mess.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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