Quick note on a good film: "The Fog of War"

[DemoTex]

Saw it with Mrs. DemoTex on 2/14. She loved it, and she is tough on McNamara and Vietnam (as am I). This feature-length moral travelogue, as Roger Angell called it in his review in The New Yorker (1/19/2004, p. 31), is perhaps the best work yet of Errol Morris ("The Thin Blue Line" and "Mr. Death"). The Philip Glass score, especially the thrumming tuba solo during the Tokyo fire-bombing footage, is absolutely perfect.

Since Paul Hendrickson's The Living and the Dead: Robert McNamara: Five Lives of a Lost War, I have actually felt sympathy for McNamara. Not much though. There are several things that he could have said in this, his latest mea culpa, not the least of which is "I fucked up badly, I am sorry." OK, maybe he did say it, in his own rather odd way.

However, what he tap-danced around and did not criticize is the war in Iraq. He openly ducks that, and I think that is a grave mistake if he thinks he is on the road to rehabilitation at age 86. He had the chance and said, "I do not believe that we should ever apply our military and industrial power unilaterally."

See it. It is almost two hours (there are 11 "McNamara points" that frame the outline of the film - could have been 5) long. I found a medium popcorn and 32-oz Dr. Pepper perfect for this flick. Your tastes may differ. Children would find this film extremely boring and squirm, pissing off the other three or four people in the theater.

[dobak]

1. I'm going this week

[Faygo Kid]

2. Great stuff. An important film. A must see.

So many memories came flooding back. Engrossing, even though I thought it ended somewhat flat. But it wasn't just entertainment. It was history. You're right; see it. I also commend to you the autobiography "The Past Has Another Pattern," by George Ball, undersecretary of state in that era (might be tough to find). A true patriot who opposed the War, and walks us step by step through the whole process (he stayed in the Johnson Administration until he felt his voice was no longer heard). Thanks for a good and important post. See this movie, folks.

[DemoTex]

3. "The Past Has Another Pattern," by George Ball

Thanks, Faygokid. I just scored a copy of Ball's book on Amazon for $5! I'll get it next week. I'll get the DVD of The Fog of War when it comes out, too. It's one of those films I'll watch over and over and over.

Mac

[Faygo Kid]

4. Me, too. Will you let me know what you think of his book?

A total member of The Establishment, but a great statesman. You'll enjoy his remembrances of Adlai Stevenson, too, but the Vietnam Era is totally engrossing, as is the whole book. One of my all time favorites. I am going to get the DVD of "Fog of War," as well, and like you, I commend the music. Great stuff. Anyway, please post or send me an e-mail with your opinion of George Ball's book.

[DemoTex]

7. Will do, friend.

.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

5. I was going to wait for cable, since I don't feel like forking over

ten bucks to see a movie these days.

Glad to hear it was good.

SYMPATHY? for McNamara? You are getting soft in your old age there brother.

He could have stopped a lot of shit anytime he wanted to, he had LBJ's ear, he could have fired Westmorland for lying to him. He could have resigned and gone to the press.

He could have really shaken things up and been honest at a press conferece.

Fuck him. He should stand neck deep in Agent Orange for eternity, and feel the pain as his body rots away... when it finally goes, he gets a new body and dipped again. While he is out, maybe he should have his head and neck used as a soccer ball for all the Cambodians he let Pol Pot kill, and then get napaalmed once or twice before the re-dip.


But, I am over the war. As you can clearly see.


BTW, did you see the news yesterday? Two Viet nationals filed suit in Brooklyn Federal Court against Dow Chemical and the US Government for Agent Orange use during the war. Seeking pallitive damages to help defray costs of healthcare for victims there.

[Faygo Kid]

6. Go see it. Best 10 bucks you ever spent.

Best two hours I have spent in a movie theater in a decade. This one is worth it. Thanks for the info on the lawsuit. Will look for more details on line.

[DemoTex]

8. Scooter, pal ... like the Faygokid said "Go see it."

I know all the arguments. But I have absoutly no "answers" about Vietnam. That is why I listen to - and soak-up (like a dry sponge) - everyone's story vis-a-vis Vietnam. Even McNamara's. Even Giap's.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

9. Okay. I will. Giap has an interesting POV.

Thanks.

[Faygo Kid]

10. Please post with your opinion after you see it.

Inquiring minds want to know.

[DemoTex]

11. You won't see Giap's POV

Only, McNamara's