Review of No End in Sight (2007) by David S — 15 Sep 2010

A documentary work critical of the Bush administration that does not resort to maudlin, emotion, or purely speculative conspiracy theories. The coverage is sober and objective, and the focus is on facts and the words of interviewees.

However, I can't rate it more than four stars, though the importance of the issues makes me wish I could. I was left hungry for more information and analysis. There were plenty of statements from those interviewed, and certainly plenty of facts, but only occasionally does the director see fit to summarize and organize this information.

The entire premise of the film seemed to be that a few incompetent leaders in the beginning months of the Iraq war set the stage for disaster later on. The case for this premise was made, but little else about the incompetence and duplicity of those in charge was covered in depth.

Furthermore, the message seems to be arriving a little late to those of us who knew something was very wrong in 2004. Too late, certainly, for the 2004 presidential elections. Still, an important journalistic expose, even in 2007, well-executed by a director concerned with the facts and transparency.