Morris has learned a lot over the years about how to tell a story while gradually unveiling a personality. But I wish I had a better notion of what story he's trying to tell.
The Fog of War (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:133
Fresh:130
Rotten:3
Average Rating:8.4/10
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Synopsis: Documentarian Errol Morris directs THE FOG OF WAR, a captivating look at Robert S. McNamara, who served as the Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The movie... Documentarian Errol Morris directs THE FOG OF WAR, a captivating look at Robert S. McNamara, who served as the Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The movie does not exclusively focus on this part of McNamara's career, however, and instead gives a broad overview of the man he was, his multitude of roles--a Harvard Business School graduate, a Colonel in the Air Force during WWII, president of Ford Motor Company--and his opinions on a variety of historical topics. Inspired by two books written by McNamara--IN RETROSPECT (1995) and WILSON'S GHOST (2001)--Morris gives McNamara a forum to talk about the decisions he made and the influence he had during his career. At the age of 85, McNamara has gained necessary perspective to do just that. Sharp as a tack, loaded with charisma, and generally fascinating, McNamara easily carries the film with his revealing interviews. Meanwhile, Morris's use of archival footage--along with maps and other effective visual aids--add context to McNamara's commentary, and Philip Glass's ominous, pulsing score gives the film's important subject matter the gravity it deserves. [More]
Starring: Robert S. McNamara
Starring: Robert S. McNamara
Director: Errol Morris
Director: Errol Morris
Producer: Michael Williams, Julie Ahlberg
Composer: Philip Glass
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Reviews for The Fog of War
Morris, an ideal combination of journalist and romantic artist, matches footage to the words for maximum illumination and emotional impact.
Should be required viewing for anyone who makes decisions about national defense, if not for everyone.
Filled with worthy, sometimes chilling, lessons from JFK and LBJ's former secretary of defense about warfare and humanity.
The effect of The Fog of War is to impress upon us the frailty and uncertainty of our leaders.
In his willingness to speak up but not entirely out, McNamara provides the movie with its key fascination: the confessor who refuses to comment.
Morris fills [his film with] skewed and crooked angles on McNamara himself -- as if even the camera couldn't get a grasp on the elusive nature of this topic.
It is a profound examination of the troubling proposition that good or well-meaning people can help create horrible and evil events -- and be swept along in the turmoil they unleash.
As fascinating as it is, it's not clear what conclusions can be drawn other than that war is hell and it would be preferable if mankind could just live together in peace.
Startlingly forceful — an extremely intimate, sympathetic and provocative personal biography as well as an illuminative audit of human fallibility. One of 2003's best films.
Emerges as a fascinating enterprise that evokes nothing so much as Victor Hugo's 'dialogue of the deaf' in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
It should be required viewing for all political and military leaders.
A carefully calibrated, endlessly fascinating example of humanity at odds with itself.
Interesting enough, but hardly a work of documentarial integrity -- for my part, I wanted to physically shield McNamara from Morris's mischievous slash-and-burn.
Truly remarkable - a history lesson, a mea culpa and one last chance to discuss a pivotal era with someone who was actually there.
Armchair philosophers might find truths about human nature in this bait and switch, but promises to stringently examine McNamara’s strategic decisions left me feeling slighted
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