Thirteen Days **** (2000, Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood) – Classic Movie Review 1502

In director Roger Donaldson’s long but compelling real-life 2000 nailbiting thriller, Kevin Costner plays Kenny O’Donnell, the top adviser to President John F Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood). O’Donnell is desperately seeking a way to stop America and Russia going to war in the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

There’s lots of sweaty-palm tension and tough talk as Russia deploys rockets in Cuba and US hawks urge an attack. And, though the outcome is well known, some of the details come as a surprise – and the film’s very good on detail.

There’s a feast of first-rate acting: Costner and Greenwood are excellent, and Steven Culp is very good as the Attorney General, Robert F Kennedy.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1502

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