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What do you think of what the journalist did? spoilers

posted 14 years ago by everlone_2000
6 replies | jump to latest

I was curious as to what people's reactions were to the actions of the Katie Holmes character in this film. It seemed to me that there was supposed to be some sort of righteous justice in her winding up with a crappy job presenting the weather on-the-spot and dodging tree branches in high winds etc.

But... I didn't really buy into that. I didn't think she behaved any worse than Nick and - frankly - he should have seen that expose coming a mile off. The audience surely did, and his pals in the M.O.D also warned him that this was exactly what was going to happen. There wasn't even anything especially underhand in her actions - she came to him as a journalist: she didn't lie about who she was. Granted she went to extreme lengths to get her story (although you could argue that shagging Aaron Eckhardt was more of a 'perk' than a 'sacrifice') and while you could question her personal morals, the fact was that her journalistic integrity was rock solid: she completely subsumed her own sense of comfort (again, depending on how much of a problem it is sleeping with a handsome man...) in order to get her story, and when she did she printed the truth.

Which brings me to another point. The end of the film suggests that she was sacked from her job on the Washington paper, which I didn't quite believe. I thought the editor would stand behind her and the story. Because... it was all true. It seemed to be fairly common knowledge that she used sex (or sex appeal) to lull her subjects into a false sense of security. The other memebers of the MOD even have a bet on about it. It seemed unlikely that her boss didn't know that this was her MO and I imagined s/he didn't really care as long as what she was turning in was gripping and accurate. Journalists frequently use incredibly shady methods to get the story: this didn't really seem to be that exceptional. A newspaper that sacked their staff everytime they did something morally questionable to get the truth would be populated by some very boring writers who were completely controlled by people like Nick.

[–] gabby_bm 14 years ago

I have no problem with a journalist screwing for stories. Hell, there wasn't any pretense of a relationship there. Pillow-talk has destroyed many lives and Nick knows this. Of course, every victim thinks they should be the exception, so it's understandable that he would whine about it just like any bar slut who wakes up alone.

That her newspaper fired her was probably an issue of maintaining the illusion of journalistic integrity- which is just as important as the integrity itself.

Aye. The haggis is in the fire for sure.

[–] rykelgil 14 years ago

Not a newspaper in the country that wouldn't fire a reporter if she was called out on TV for having sex with a source. It's an ethical no-no. Heck, even most TV stations will fire you for that sort of thing ...

[–] Mushion 14 years ago

Rykelgil has it right. Also, there is a sort of journalism code, which states how you can get your information, what is right, what is wrong. Of course, since journalists are not under oath they don't have to hold to that. But if you shame your integrety in such a way (using morally reprehensive methods), you will most likely get fired or at least severely demoted.

"What's Pre-Revolutionary France doing on a spaceship? Get a little perspective!"

[–] love_horror 14 years ago

She did it for the mortgage :)
With Nick Naylor, the central character himself, arguing with his buddies about who has the largest death toll, the movie isn't about whats righteous or fair, in the dog eat dog world that was depicted, she was as righteous as Nick was.

I was always fascinated with the enemies of heaven -Crowley

[–] LManTheFinest 14 years ago

Nick just always happens to have the 'I will win' attitude! So he isn't afraid to spill the truth to get even with people, he just happens to be so good at sweet talking to get himself out of a messy situation

[–] lamont-hard 13 years ago

Just where would it end, if she had to go further then having sex to get a story. Would getting someone jailed or hurt by getting info be next. Any reputable media outlet would fire her because if they let her do it then the rest of the staff will follow.

What do you think of what the journalist did? *spoilers*

What do you think of what the journalist did? spoilers