By Jake Coyle, Film Writer
TORONTO (AP) --A visibly moved Dan Rather choked up at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere on Saturday night of "Truth," a drama that recounts the events surrounding the CBS News anchor's downfall.
Rather attended the premiere of the film, which is based on "60 Minutes" producer Mary Mapes' 2005 memoir about the network's report on President George W. Bush's Air National Guard service during the Vietnam War. Starring Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, James Vanderbilt's film is a bid for the vindication of Mapes and Rather, whose careers both tumbled as a result of the scandal.
"Truth" is clearly on their side, portraying the controversy as a journalistic tragedy, with Mapes and Rather sacrificed by a corporation with motivations beyond truthful reporting.
Appearing on stage after the film's premiere, Rather received a standing ovation. He told the festival that watching the film was "an eerie experience, and I confess that I still haven't quite gotten my head completely around it."
When an audience member asked if he would have done anything differently, Rather responded that journalism is "on its very best days, kind of a crude art."
"I've certainly made my mistakes, and I have the scars to show for it," said the 83-year-old Rather. "There are plenty of things I would do over, which is why I spend a lot of my time trying to practice humility and modesty."
He then teared up and added: "Tremendous gratitude."
Sony Pictures Classics will release "Truth" on Oct. 16. The enthusiastic critical response in Toronto suggests it could be an awards season contender. The film will surely spawn a new series of op-eds about one the previous decade's most debated media stories.
At the Sony Pictures Classics annual Toronto Film Festival dinner following the premiere, Rather said he was particularly impressed by Blanchett's performance, saying she faithfully captured Mapes as a newswoman. But he added "Truth" had one notable inaccuracy.
"My wife keeps telling me: 'Robert Redford is too good-looking to play you,'" said Rather.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More