Gripping retelling of the Cuban Missile Crisis (Thirteen Days (DVD))

Member Name: ElChupacabra

Product:	Thirteen Days (DVD)
Date:	01/08/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellant cast, good direction.

Disadvantages: Maybe to talky for some people

This movie is something of an enigma. It's an enigma because its thoroughly enjoyable, gripped and his outstanding performances from Bruce Greenwood and Steve Culp, as Jack and Bobby Kennedy respectively, but somewhat slipped under the radar.

In summary this movie follows the events of the Cuban Missle Crisis and in that respect is largely, if not entirely, accurate. If, like me, you are something of a student of the Kennedy years you can very much appreciate the efforts that that the filmmakers have gone to to try and make this as genuine as possible, without losing any of the drama of the time it is set.

There have been many movies set in this error, but I can't recall any of them so clearly reminding the audience of just how close the world came to nuclear war in the early 1960s. The movie grips you from start to end and excellent direction from Roger Donaldson and skilled acting from the cast keeps you on the edge of your seat despite knowing what is going to happen. Very few films in recent years have been able to do that.

Another plus point for this film is that Costner displays no ego here. He doesn't take over the film or steal the limelight from Greenwood or Culp but rather blends into the fabric of the movie.

It is a tremendous shame that Greenwood and Culp did not go on to be bigger stars after this as they certainly deserve is after the fantastic performaces given in this movie.

If you are interested in history and American policitcs, or just like thrillers in general, then this is a movie for you.

Summary: Great for JFK buffs