"The War Room" tells the story of the incredible 1992 presidential campaign of Arkansas governor Bill Clinton, and as such, it manages to be at least pretty interesting. Its focus is on all of the back stage maneuvering by savvy political experts; it's really thanks to them that Clinton won back in '92. The two characters who get the lions' share of the attention are fiery, outspoken James "The Ragin' Cajun" Carville, and boyish Rhodes Scholar George Stephanopoulos. Together they deal with the various ups and downs of this particular campaign. Counteracting accusations from other candidates, dealing with the whole Gennifer Flowers mess, skirting the draft-dodging issue, etc.
Although ones' political leanings may dictate how they feel about the film, there's no denying that the directors, Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker, use a highly involving approach. They refrain from being overly cinematic, opting to be very straightforward about what they're doing, showing real people in real situations. As a result, the viewer does kind of feel like the cliched "fly on the wall" while watching various heated discussions. For the most part, however, what effectiveness "The War Room" achieves is due to the colourful Carville, who indeed had charisma to rival that of any Hollywood star.
In the end, "The War Room" does clearly make its point, about the people behind this campaign succeeding due to unconventional methods, and by catering heavily to young voters. The viewer may not get a sense of all the little details and nuances that go into running a campaign, but they do see what it's like when people have a talent for "spinning".
Seven out of 10.
Although ones' political leanings may dictate how they feel about the film, there's no denying that the directors, Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker, use a highly involving approach. They refrain from being overly cinematic, opting to be very straightforward about what they're doing, showing real people in real situations. As a result, the viewer does kind of feel like the cliched "fly on the wall" while watching various heated discussions. For the most part, however, what effectiveness "The War Room" achieves is due to the colourful Carville, who indeed had charisma to rival that of any Hollywood star.
In the end, "The War Room" does clearly make its point, about the people behind this campaign succeeding due to unconventional methods, and by catering heavily to young voters. The viewer may not get a sense of all the little details and nuances that go into running a campaign, but they do see what it's like when people have a talent for "spinning".
Seven out of 10.