The action, loosely based on a true story and filmed on location at and near a Utah university (and, briefly, in China), concerns Liu Xing (Liu Ye), a brilliant young astrophysicist from Beijing who travels to the United States for graduate study under Professor Jacob Reiser (Aidan Quinn), a scientist whose work he admires but whose best years and ideas are behind him.

NEWYORKER: Dark Matter

Liu's ex-campaign treasurer, Jia "Jenny" Hou, and former Liu fundraiser Xing "Oliver" Wu Pan are facing federal charges of conspiring to break campaign finance laws.

WSJ: Trial opens for aides of NYC mayoral hopeful

On Thursday, Ms. Lee testified for a second day in Manhattan federal court at the trial of Jia "Jenny" Hou, Mr. Liu's former campaign treasurer, and Xing Wu "Oliver" Pan, a longtime campaign contributor.

WSJ: City Comptroller John Liu Stands By His Aide