"Thirteen Days" to Remember by Homer Yen (c) 2001
On a chilly October day in 1962, America teetered on the verge of war. A national crisis had developed when it was discovered that Russia was secretly installing nuclear missiles in Cuba, giving our Red adversary first strike capability. America was adamant in finding a way to remove them. However, it was unclear as to whether diplomacy would work or whether military force would be needed. Had the Cuban Missile Crisis escalated out of control, it would have started an irreversible chain of events that could have, in all likelihood, sent mankind on a trajectory towards Armageddon. That is, unless cooler heads could prevail.
"Thirteen Days" is a wonderfully suspenseful and dramatic retelling of the Cuban Missile Crisis when America hoped for the best but virtually expected the worst, showing us why cooler heads did prevail. Culled from a host of sources, including historical records and documents, White House tapes, memoirs, and interviews with some of the key players, the screenplay centers on three people that ultimately helped to pull America and the world back from the brink. The most crucial, of course, is then-President John F. Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) who must simultaneously act decisively to address the grave threat to national security, maintain a sense of decision-making integrity to appease opposing political forces, and exercise temperance in this time of high volatility. We learn that it's not just the "big red dog digging in our backyard" that poses a threat. Equally menacing is the zealous military brass that wants to take immediate, forceful action. Greenwood turns in a strong performance who makes a believable Kennedy, allowing the audience to internalize the agonizing political decisions that would not only affect the future of his administration but the future of the world as well.
The other two key players are Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy (Steven Culp) who remains edgy about any path they undertake but is committed to carrying out the decisions of his Presidential brother. Also, Kenneth P. O'Donnell (Kevin Costner) is a brusque political advisor that helps to keep the political machine from unraveling. Both also give fine performances, making it easy to accept them as the people that they portray.
The movie chronicles the crisis from when offensive missiles are first discovered being assembled in Cuba. Every action that the U.S. takes in countering the threat seems reasonable. However, the results bring frightening consequences that push us closer towards the unthinkable with alarming momentum. Throughout the film, the sense of urgency and tension mounts. For President Kennedy and the world, the stakes are unspeakably high and the territory that they have entered is uncharted.
The stark nature of the drama is heightened as some scenes are shot in black and white. Additionally, to give the onscreen turmoil a more profound sense of realism, many scenes feature video footage from that period. We witness the pandemonium at the stores as citizens stocked up on goods; watch venerable news anchor Walter Cronkite struggle to find the words to adequately describe the frenzied situation; and most haunting, view images of school children running for cover during a bomb drill.
This is a riveting, message-driven film about a pivotal point in our history when a handful of men had the power to save or destroy the entire world. It's a chapter of America's recent past that should never be forgotten. After seeing it, you'll feel lucky to be alive.
Grade: B+
S: 0 out of 3 L: 1 out of 3 V: 1 out of 3
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