Deterrence (2000)

Deterrence offers a welcome throwback to such sweaty-palmed chamber pieces as Fail-Safe and Twelve Angry Men, and in his debut as writer-director, Rod Lurie, a West Point graduate and former film critic, has crafted a taut, one-set drama that would have been ideal for live television. With its provocative what-if scenario and a sharp cast confined to a claustrophobic space, this movie's more clever than coherent, but it grabs your attention for 103 briskly paced minutes.

The year is 2008, and U.S. President Walter Emerson (Kevin Pollak) has something to prove. He wasn't elected (he took office upon the death of the previous president), and he needs a pivotal boost in a current primary election. While he and his entourage are trapped under heavy snowfall in a tiny Colorado diner, Emerson must decide whether to unleash a nuclear arsenal on the son of Saddam Hussein, who has invaded Kuwait and taken hundreds of American lives. With his chief of staff (Timothy Hutton), top advisers, and a cluster of terrified diners, Emerson sorts through his options as tensions come to a boil.

This all works well on the surface, and Deterrence gains depth by depicting a president who is potentially as evil as his unseen enemy. But the film is almost fatally vague (clearly Lurie wants viewers to bring their own interpretation to these events) and ends with a twist that's too contrived to be dramatically satisfying. Until that point, however, Deterrence will certainly keep you engaged. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Movie

Arrived promptly.Thank you. Fantastic movie. Bunch of liberal critics gave it bad reviews as it puts forth a cold hard option in stopping war. I hope it is an option we never use! November 30, 2007

Great Political Movie

I saw this movie years ago, before our involvement in our current sturggles in Afganistan and Iraq. The movie is good, but the ending makes it great - I love when movies do that! After watching again, was interesting to see how Iraq and our current struggles relate. If you like to keep up on politics, this is a good movie to watch. May 15, 2007

Deterrence

An OUTSTANDING film, and I dare say no more because I don't think you'll publish it. It should be shown on prime-time TV and ACLU, Islamic Societies, or whoemever be darned!. The colors of our flag do NOT run - that is what this film is all about. February 27, 2007

Great Movie! Almost phrophecy fulfilled!!!

WoW! I first saw this movie when it released and thought it was an above average drama even then.
However, after seeing it again recently, I realize that it was very forward thinking and ahead of its time as well.
It was right on regarding the current Iraq situation, and is actually quite realistic regarding policy in a post-911 world.
Kevin Pollack is very believable as a non-elected President, and the 'Diner-esque' way the movie is filmed works well within this type of a drama.
If you like dramas about war and politics and also like intrigue, watch this movie January 10, 2007

Best Movie/Best Picture quality and an A+Rating

Deterrence should have received an academy award for Best Picture, Best Director and Best leading actor Kevin Pollak. This was a very well written, well thought out, very believeable movie that will grab your mind and you by the seat of your pants and keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end. This is the kind of movie you will want to see more than once. You will probably want to have your own dvd to watch it again and again. This movie is nothing less than exceptional good intertainment. I give this movie my AA+ rating. The story, the acting and the directing, in this low budget movie is nearly flawless and deserves the highest praise. Very well done. This movie was well worth every minute of my time to see it. Truly, one of the best of the best movies I have ever had the pleasure to see. Everyone should see this movie at least once or twice in their life time. Buy two dvds and hand one out to your family, friends and neighbors to see. October 15, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...