REVIEW: “The Brink Of War”
Courtesy of Angel Studios
If history has taught us anything, it's that some of the most significant battles were fought without a single shot being fired. The Brink Of War reminds us of that, focusing on two formidable men sitting across a table from one another, engaged in conversations where the price of losing is literally nuclear annihilation. The movie is a heavy, talky political drama that may not always crackle with energy, but its strong ensemble of solid character actors makes the story more gripping than it might initially seem.
Set in 1986, right in the thick of the Cold War, the movie takes viewers inside the famed Reykjavík Summit in Iceland. President Ronald Reagan (Jeff Daniels) and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (Jared Harris) meet face-to-face, each under enormous political pressure from their respective countries to discuss nuclear disarmament. Joining Regan is Secretary of State George Schultz (J.K. Simmons), serving as both adviser and sounding board as the tense negotiations unfold.
Make no mistake: The Brink Of War is a talky movie. It’s built entirely on the tense psychological chess match between Reagan and Gorbachev, where a single word, refusal, or compromise could literally reshape the globe. On paper, watching two leaders sit in a room talking nuclear policy and human rights is about the least cinematic thing you could make a movie about. But that’s exactly why director Michael Russell Gunn deserves so much credit; he takes what could’ve been a dry history lesson and makes it feel like a proper movie.
He wisely avoids action sequences because he trusts that the conversations alone create all the tension the movie needs. The result is a slow-burn thriller primarily centered around a table inside a small house in Iceland. Much is made of the historic house, which is said to be haunted, but the real specter looming over the proceedings is the terrifying threat of failure. The stakes couldn't be higher, and the film effectively captures the psychological toll the proceedings take on these men as they try to keep the world from ending.
Having also written the script, drawing on declassified transcripts of the summit and a personal interview with Schultz himself. Gunn does a solid job of humanizing both world leaders. Instead of portraying them as historical icons embodying democracy and communism, he depicts them as two individuals attempting to solve an impossible puzzle. It is genuinely compelling to watch these men, who hold wildly different ideologies, engage in serious and respectful debate. Searching for common ground while remaining well aware of their fundamental differences.
Despite seeming like an odd pick for the role, Daniels is very good as Reagan, even if he's not a dead ringer for the former president. Wisely avoiding a straight impression or caricature, he instead gets at the core of the man: the easygoing confidence, stubborn resolve, folksy charm, and political shrewdness. He uses just enough recognizable vocal inflections and mannerisms to sell it. As good as Daniels is, Harris might be even better. Playing Gorbachev with a colder, steelier caution, he radiates intelligence while still giving the Soviet leader a surprising amount of warmth and humanity. He turns a character who could have easily been a cartoonish Soviet villain into a complex, living human being.
The supporting cast is equally strong, with Simmons characteristically excellent as Schultz, bringing authority and urgency to what could have easily been an exposition-heavy role. Hope Davis makes every second of her brief screen time count as Nancy Reagan, capturing her effortless understanding of her husband. Branka Katic is also strong as Raisa Gorbachev, and her scenes opposite Harris help reveal the real man behind the Soviet leader.
Unfortunately, the movie doesn't always trust its central drama. At nearly two hours, the movie occasionally feels padded with material that adds little to the overall story. The biggest offender is a subplot involving two fictional journalists (Aya Cash and Guy Burnet) who follow Raisa on a publicity tour around Iceland. They spend much of their time flirting, but their relationship ultimately goes nowhere. And since this story has no bearing on the negotiations, every time the movie jumps back to them, it feels like time stolen from the far more interesting story. Gunn makes an admirable directorial debut, but a veteran director likely would have tightened the pacing and known exactly what material belonged on the cutting room floor.
Despite its few shortcomings, The Brink of War achieves something truly unique: making a civilized conversation feel like the most dangerous thing in the world. It reminds you that you don't always need explosions or gunfire to keep audiences glued to the screen. Sometimes, the most thrilling thing you can watch is two smart people trying to save the world, one careful word at a time.
The Brink Of War is currently available to rent on VOD.