THE WAR ROOM

THE WAR ROOM offers an energetic inside look at Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, focusing on George Stephanopoulos, James Carville, and the campaign headquarters known as “The War Room.” It covers a lively collection of campaign events, including the New Hampshire Primary, the Gennifer Flowers episode, and the Democratic Convention in New York City.

The film is also openly persuasive. Its criticism of Perot and Bush is so ruthless that it barely allows the possibility that anyone could have supported them. That partisan approach weakens the documentary as a trustworthy account, even while making it exciting to watch.

If you are a discerning adult who can separate political advocacy from objective reporting, this is worth seeing. Keep it away from children and young teens.

This documentary goes inside Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, concentrating on George Stephanopoulos, James Carville, and the full campaign team at headquarters.

Beginning with the New Hampshire Primary, the film follows an eclectic series of political events on the road to the Democratic Convention in New York City. Along the way, the campaign confronts controversy, opposition candidates, and the pressure of a national race.

Four stars means this is a genuinely informative, exciting, and colorful documentary. The access to Clinton’s campaign headquarters provides an inside peek at the people and activity surrounding the campaign, while the film’s coverage of the Democratic Convention makes for an especially exciting sequence.

The limitation is its lack of objectivity. The filmmakers criticize the other candidates so ruthlessly that the documentary can feel less like a legitimate account of the 1992 presidential race and more like a vehicle for Clinton’s support. It is compelling filmmaking, but its persuasion should be recognized.

THE WAR ROOM presents a strongly partisan Democratic Party perspective. It attempts to persuade the audience of Clinton’s superiority while criticizing the other candidates harshly. The film therefore removes the balance and objectivity expected from a fully legitimate account of a presidential race.

At the same time, the documentary offers a close look at the people and pressures behind a political campaign. That inside perspective can inform viewers, even when the film’s political preferences are unmistakable. The result is both an informative, exciting documentary and a propaganda vehicle for Clinton.

Christians can appreciate the value of seeking truth while remaining alert to persuasion presented as information. Scripture says, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).

THE WAR ROOM is exciting, informative, and unusually close to the action of a presidential campaign. Its partisan advocacy and profanities make it unsuitable for children and young teens, but discerning adults can watch it thoughtfully while recognizing its agenda. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.