Review of The Fog of War (2003) by Tracy S — 30 Jul 2007

Having been far too young to have witnessed the events remembered in this documentary from Errol Morris, I am sorely lacking in the appropriate context with which to appreciate its content. However, knowing that McNamara is roundly resented by most members of my parent's generation sufficed, I believe, in putting me in the right perspective.

"Just think of him as Rumsfeld," I thought to myself. Which is why it is all the more impressive that Morris' film seemed at once close to objective, yet slowly turned the tide of my rancor to a sense of respect and sympathy for a man who acknowledges this heavy consequences of his mistakes.

Yet the man never apologizes, for he did what he at all times thought to be what was best for his country. It is the heartbreaking portrait of a man responsible for countless deaths, and Morris' quiet camerawork encourages the viewer to read far more regret in McNamara's glassy eyes than his business-like reminiscing would imply.

The production is extremely scarce, relying almost exclusively on a single set-up of McNamara in interview, and though the film can feel somewhat claustrophobic due to this, it also seems oddly appropriate - an unblinking camera pointed at the man making his ultimate confession.