Average Rating: 5.3/10
Reviews Counted: 39
Fresh: 18 | Rotten: 21
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5.3/10
Critic Reviews: 12
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 7
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 981
The world finds itself on the brink of nuclear disaster, with the balance point a small diner in Colorado, in the suspenseful political thriller Deterrence. In the year 2008, U.S. President Walter Emerson (Kevin Pollak), who recently took office after the death of the former chief executive, is campaigning for re-election. After winning the Colorado state primary, Emerson finds himself stranded in a roadside diner after a freak snowstorm. Traveling with Emerson are his chief of staff, Marshall
Mar 10, 2000 Wide
Aug 29, 2000
Paramount Home Video
All Critics (47) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (21) | DVD (8)
I got caught up in the global chess game, in the bluffing and the dares, the dangerous strategy of using nuclear blackmail against a fanatic who might call the bluff.
The plot twists fall about as weightily as the fake snow.
Having Deterrence unfold on a single set only adds to the film's artificiality.
Deterrence does serve up some wonderfully chewy pulp during its generally engaging 101 minutes, along with a certain vagueness of point-of-view.
It may be a little too dour, a little too self-inflated.
The material exhibits too many flaws to be regarded as anything more substantial than an interesting failure.
A president wrestles with another Iraq war.
Lurie quickly glazes over one important bit of backstory in the early going, a point that is crucial to understand some motivation.
Taut and intense. Pollak is outstanding.
To it's credit, the film doesn't pull many punches . . .It really gets the message across that when you threaten someone with nukes, you'd better be ready to pull the trigger.
With a strong cast and smart script, Lurie conjures up an engaging scenario with little more than chicken wire and string.
he exciting thing about Deterrence is that *we* are the big scary bad guy who is acting irrationally - and yet the conclusion explains everything.
Only in Hollywood is ineptitude and crassness rewarded so richly.
I really REALLY like this one. The premise is simple, in a snowed in diner in the middle of Colorado the president gets stuck on the way to an air force base. The possibility of nuclear war ensues.
March 13, 2011Super Reviewer
A very well made political drama full of suspense and intrigue. Let down by a poor supporting cast (Sean Astin) but held together by great performances from the main players. The ending will leave you feeling very unsettled indeed!
September 30, 2009Super Reviewer
| 35% | The Hangover Part II |
| 25% | Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Par... |
| 81% | Kung Fu Panda 2 |
| 44% | Cowboys & Aliens |
| 83% | Rise of the Planet of the Apes |
| 25% | Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Par... |
| 88% | Lady and the Tramp |
| 69% | A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas |
| 21% | Fireflies in the Garden |
| 45% | The Rebound |
Journey 2 Not Worth the Trip
What are his 10 best movies ever?
See the all-new action-packed trailer!
Five new Marvelous pictures