The War Room (1993)
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95% of critics liked it
(22 reviews) -
81% of users liked it
(2,354 ratings)
A look inside the 1992 presidential race, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hedgus' documentary The War Room explores the backstage side of national politics by examining the day-to-day operations of Bill Clinton's campaign staff. The behind-the-scenes leader of the group is James Carville, the… More A look inside the 1992 presidential race, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hedgus' documentary The War Room explores the backstage side of national politics by examining the day-to-day operations of Bill Clinton's campaign staff. The behind-the-scenes leader of the group is James Carville, the demonstrative, charismatic campaign manager who relies on a plain-speaking manner and emotional appeals to motivate his subordinates. He is complemented by the quieter, smoother personality and photogenic looks of young press spokesman George Stephanopoulous. The filmmakers follow these two contrasting personalities from the January New Hampshire primary to Clinton's eventual victory, as they attempt to cling to an overall strategic plan while dealing with unforeseen problems and negative press, as their candidate is saddled with accusations of adultery and draft-dodging. Subplots include the rivalries between Democratic campaign staffs -- which can become amusingly petty, as when they accuse each other of tearing down campaign posters -- and the romantic relationship between Carville and Mary Matalin, chief strategist for George Bush's campaign. Co-director D.A. Pennebaker (Monterey Pop, Don't Look Back, Primary) is renowned as an innovator in the use of cinema-verite, used here to show both the mundane complications and the emotional highlights of the modern political process. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker
- Genres
- Documentary, Drama, Special Interest
- In Theaters
- Oct 13, 1993 Wide
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
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Jason Gorber, Twitch
It's a testament to the supreme skills of Hegedus and Pennebaker that they managed to craft a film that so easily could have gone astray.
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Christopher Long, Movie Metropolis
It's so intoxicating that sometimes it's easy forget we are, in effect, watching a couple of pitch men selling that year's newest brand of soap.
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Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Illustrates in often amusing detail how the Clinton team managed to overcome petty hostilities and seize the day -- and the White House.
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Budd Wilkins, Slant Magazine
Make your choice for Hegedus and Pennebaker's The War Room, given an outstanding high-def Blu-ray transfer, and supplied with a full arsenal of supplementary features, by the Criterion Collection.
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Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Politics as sporting event run by wonks. Fascinating but repellent in trademark Pennebaker-Hegedus fashion.
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