Review: Thirteen Days - Review

Interview, Jan-April, 2001 by Thelma Adams

Directed by Roger Donaldson

Collective sigh of relief: For the first time since Waterworld (1995), Kevin Costner doesn't suck and we can remember why he first became a star. Under the watchful eye of his No Way Out (1987) director Roger Donaldson, Costner plays Chief of Staff Kenny O'Donnell, the steady no-bullshit advisor to J.F.K. (Bruce Greenwood of Double Jeopardy, 1999) and brother Bobby (Steven Culp). The movie is set in 1962 during the thirteen days that nearly rocked the world--a.k.a. the Cuban Missile Crisis. Based on David Self's confident screenplay, the taut drama unfolds like a deadly serious episode of The West Wing. Chilling, thrilling, and yes, there's Oscar potential for Costner and supporting player Culp, whose Bobby reveals a Machiavellian slipperiness beneath his boyish charm.