'WATTS' ROCKS AS 'PLAME' IN FAIR GAME

Well, my Cine Ficinados, I finally saw a film that is worth writing about. That film is FAIR GAME, directed by DOUG LIMAN and starring 2 of our finest thespians: NAOMI WATTS and SEAN PENN.

Let's face it, following TIFF, the fall film season has sucked rocks, with unfunny romcoms and basically uninspired fare.

However, that being said, my faith in cinema has been redeemed by this riveting biopic, which tells the true story of how VALERIE PLAME, was ''outed'' as being a CIA spy, and it's effect on her and her husband (PENN).

In other words, come back with me to those glorious days of GEORGE ''DUBYA'' BUSH and his evil minion DICK ''THE TOOL'' CHENEY, as well as the wacky SCOOTER (HUH?) LIBBY, as they make their nutty way into IRAQ, where mayhem and sadly, loss of life ensues.

Here's the story of a lovely lady, VALERIE PLAME, who was working under ''deep cover,'' for the CIA, in IRAQ - only her husband and parents knew that she was a spy - and how her cover is blown, which has staggering ramifications, for her and her family.

Think back folks to when "DUBYA," educated a nation about those so-called WMD'S (WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION), which he used as justification for going into IRAQ, as we all know, these weapons, like the ''emperor's new clothes,'' did not exist. BUSH claimed that old SADDAM got some of the raw materials for these weapons from NIGER, which JOSEPH WILSON (PENN) had visited recently, and knew was a ''patent'' lie. He said as much in an op-ed piece to the NEW YORK TIMES, and that's when the proverbial hit the fan.

PLAME was ''outed,'' as a spy and her husband discredited. WILSON tries to fight back, but as they say: ''you can't fight city hall.'' PLAME'S friends are aghast that she was a spy and they never knew. She is castigated by the press and shunned by the CIA.

While the film does have some fictional elements, it mostly rings true.

LIMAN acts as his own d.o.p. lensing on locations across the MIDDLE EAST, and creating tension and suspense with his largely hand-held camera.

WATTS, gives a bravura performance and she has fabulous chemistry, with the equally great PENN, who is every bit her equal.

With the current political situation in the states, this film is more timely than ever and a really excellent and thoughtful movie.