The War Room Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: The War Room
Year: 1993
Director: Chris Hegedus & D.A Pennebaker
Country: US
Language: English

 I remember the famous line in Stanley Kubrick's Dr.Strangelove, "You can't fight in here, this is a war room!" Indeed The War Room is all about a fight, not a physical fight but a political fight, to be President of the United States of America. Throughout cinematic history there have been a vast amount of good political films, from Battleship Potemkin (1925) to Milk (2008). The War Room may hold the most truth about politics, at least American politics, out of all those films.

The War Room is a A behind-the-scenes documentary about the Clinton for President campaign, focusing on the adventures of spin doctors James Carville and George Stephanopoulos. Though Bill Clinton is the subject, he is only in one or two scenes.

While most documentaries use plenty of traditional voice over narration and talking head interviews, directors Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker make great use of their limited time & limited access they were granted to engage in a handheld visceral approach. This provides an engaging and intimate feel. For the most part stripped down meetings in the war room make-up the majority of this film. The tremendous editing transforms these meetings into a straightforward experience which forms its own structure.

The War Room is a documentary unlike any other, it is surprisingly unconventional for a film about a conventional subject. The topics talked about the "war room" range from the sensational to the mundane. At times you'll be wondering why certain topics are discussed (the usage of certain types of signage), however you'll be amazed at the attention to detail this film has. It's a kill or be killed atmosphere where everything is put on the line and things can turn sour at any moment.

In conclusion, while The War Room is gripping, there is also a certain level of humour in it. James Carville (a.k.a "The Ragin' Cajun") absolutely explodes with personality. He has a fiery enthusiasm. a great will to win and a big heart. Some of the sentences that come out of the man's mouth with make you laugh out loud. While this film may not appeal to every film-goer, especially those who dislike Clinton, it certainly is an important documentary that deserves great recognition from cinephiles and critics alike. Praise it! 4/5