This movie is about the handling of the Cuban missile crisis, that brought the then superpowers very close to starting WWIII, by JFK, his brother and their confidants.

This is a very interesting movie that keeps history intriguing. Which is to say a lot. It is partly fictionalized when it comes to emotions but fairly accurate when it comes to the facts. So it is a very good history lesson. One that is really more than a lesson -- an admonition if you may, about the ultimate threat -- the destruction of the human race because of the bigotry or even stupidity or madness of a few men or even a single man.

Of course it makes Kennedys and his assitant look like superheros when they were probably just lucky. It is over glorifying and pedantic at times. Even sappy. But in all honesty let that not take away from a good sincere effort by the director. Mr. Donaldson's last two pictures -- Dante's peak and Species both were ridiculous and this is a good come back for him.

Kevin Costner is I think miscast as Kenny O'Donnel, JFK's special assistant who plays a very important role in avoiding the crisis -- probably more import than JFK. An obvious exaggeration -- however an understandable one.

Rest of the cast is good and some dialogue is excellent. A movie definitely worth watching.