Directed by Rodger Donaldson, Thirteen Days is an absorbing
account of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the United States and the
USSR to the brink of war during a few very scary days in 1962. It began when a
U2 spy plane, making a routine flight, spots Soviet weapons in Cuba. The
Kennedy administration walked a tightrope as they grappled with how to make the
right response without appearing too weak, or too strident, which would escalate
the conflict to an all-out nuclear war. A major factor are the hawks at the
pentagon, led by General Curtis LeMay (played by Kevin Conway in a marvelous,
intense performance), who are breathing down the president's neck, badgering him to
use nothing less than full force when dealing with the Soviet threat.
Yet the film, through JFK himself, poses the notion that the pentagon was locked
into a "World War Two mentality"; in other words, the generals and admirals were
still thinking in terms of an all-out war that could be fought and won. This was
the same mentality, JFK argues, that started the First World War, when the
military leaders of that era were still locked into 19th century tactics,
ignoring the fact that the weapons had become far more deadlier. The resulting
conflict caused upwards of several million people to die, a number that was
unheard of in combat at that time. Now, in the nuclear age, JFK felt that both
the American and Russian military were making the very same mistake as they each
lumbered towards war--a mistake that cannot be repeated this time, for the result
of all-out warfare between the two superpowers would wipe out all life on Earth.
And so not only does the administration has to play a tense game of chess with
the Soviet Union, but they also have to keep an eye on politics within their own
house, as well. Forget the West Wing; this is ten times more riveting because it
was the real deal.
Thirteen Days, which was exactly how long the Cuban Missile Crisis lasted, is
an enthralling movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat--even though you know
full well how it turns out. Although Kevin Costner has the lead billing--and whose
star power was no doubt influential in getting this movie made--it is Bruce
Greenwood who truly owns this film. He shines as JFK (as does Steven Culp, who
plays Bobby Kennedy). Greenwood manages to invoke JFK, the man, without falling
into caricature. He gives a precise, measured performance of a man who is
carefully winding his way through a major international crisis. Costner gives
his usual commendable performance as Kenneth P. O'Donnell, a close friend and
advisor to the Kennedy brothers in whose POV this story is told. Dylan Baker is
also memorable as Secretary Of Defense Robert McNamara.
The Thirteen Days DVD is presented as an Infinifilm presentation. This means
that, in addition to the option of watching the regular film, you can also view
it with the special features immersed into the movie itself. A special icon pops
up, and when you click it, it reveals deeper information about the historical
people and subjects within the film. There's also a commentary by director
Rodger Donaldson, deleted scenes, and several documentaries about the Cuban
Missile Crisis. This disc is simply loaded to the hilt with extra features.
Thirteen Days is a taunt, gripping thriller that should mesmerize any who
watch it, regardless of their political persuasion. --SF