Sometimes, we just want the history.

If you were unaware, The Brink of War is about the Reykjavik Summit—the meetings Reagan and Gorbachev held in the late ’80s to discuss arms control and potentially dismantle nuclear arsenals.

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I generally enjoy films like this about the backstories of history, and this small film that essentially takes place in one small home in Reykjavik had real potential. But in order to appeal as a “film” to broader audiences, the filmmakers felt they needed to shoehorn in other storylines that, frankly, no one really cares about:

Mrs. Gorbachev was there—but where was Nancy?!

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What did some snarky press members think about the fact that there were no hotels in the area for them to stay?!

How did the KGB and the CIA split up the bathrooms in the basement?! (Yes, really.)

We want to see some fine actors battle it out as these world leaders. Jared Harris plays Gorbachev (I’ll always have a soft spot for him from Mad Men), and he does a great job giving some humanity to a historical figure who isn’t always afforded much.

Yet Jeff Daniels plays Reagan as a chubby, aw-shucks guy and succeeds at a few of Reagan’s down-home mannerisms (we get no fewer than four “Well…”s), but I don’t feel a lot of the gravitas that I felt was needed.

(Side note: Why was Jeff Daniels—an actor with a pretty well-established hard-left political bent—the one chosen to play this role? I don’t see how his political opinions couldn’t affect the way he plays it. Someone even a bit more neutral politically might have played the role more effectively.)

All of this being said, watching the two square off against each other were the best parts of the film. I just wish we could have concentrated more on them (and the always-excellent J.K. Simmons as George Shultz) instead of being taken out of the meetings so often to deal with issues and characters we don’t ultimately care about.

I’d recommend this to others who think they might enjoy it—but with just a slight recommendation.

Grade: B-

About The Peetimes: Read a synopsis of first 3 minutes of this movie.

There are extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of The Brink of War.

Plot
President Ronald Reagan races against time to salvage a deal with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that could dismantle nuclear arsenals—or ignite disaster. With pressure mounting on all sides, every word spoken brings the world closer to peace… or destruction.