Thursday, August 9, 2012

Review: Thirteen Days

Director: Roger Donaldson

Starring: Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Shawn Driscoll

Year: 2000

Genre: Drama

Rated: PG-13

Length: 145 min.

IMDB Summary: A dramatization of President Kennedy's administration's struggle to contain the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962.

Review:
Fast-paced and well-acted, Thirteen Days is an intriguing, suspenseful political drama. With a few glaring exceptions (such as Kenny O'Donnell's role in the Cuban missile crisis), this movie is historically accurate in its portrayal of the panic that struck the nation during the missile crisis, which turned out to be, arguably, John F. Kennedy's greatest political victory. What fascinated me about Thirteen Days was the top-notch portrayal of John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. I was also impressed with the screenplay, especially the fast-paced, realistic dialogue (though much of the real-life language was cleaned up). Another success of the film were the beats of each scene that lent the film overall authenticity (O'Donnell's playful exchange with Jackie about the candy, for example). Although the lack of physical action may bore some viewers, Thirteen Days is a well-crafted, suspenseful dramatization of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and certainly worth a watch.

For Parents:
Brief strong language

My Rating:
***** 
Image from imdb.com

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