I wonder what it would be like if I were to be the decision maker on whether to go for war or not. WAR as understood by different people in different ways...And then one wonders what it is like for the leaders of countries to decide whether to go to war. If it happens with smaller countries, the leaders are termed dictators more often than not and perhaps that might help alleviate the guilt, if any. But what about larger countries like America? Would there be any association on the consequence of taking a decision of war on the conscience of the head of state?
This movie is about the Cuban missile crisis. I think the movie story was just one avenue to convey a basic underlying message. To me, it dealt with the emotions of people who had anything to do with the decision making on how to react. In a small group, it covered all kinds - right from those that were aware of the power they possessed and wanted war as a quick answer to those that posed a threat. And then those that were also aware of their power and did not want to go to war simply because they were aware.
The movie has moments where you realize the helplessness in the group where they cannot talk to someone they love although they would have loved to; if not for advise just for the sake of listening. And more of trust, where you realize that somewhere in the group you would need utmost trust at all levels.
The tension felt in the movie cannot be passed off even if we are watching it at a time very different from when the actual crisis happened. Bottomline is that when you are in a position to write history, the biggest question for you to answer to your fellowmen and generations to follow is what you would like them to read in it.
The 14 days captured here reflect how much ones life can undergo in one seemingly short span.