Deterrence
The President of the United States must deal with an international military crisis while confined to a Colorado diner during a freak snowstorm
- Director: Rod Lurie
- Genre:Drama / Thriller
- Runtime:104 minutes
Cast
Kevin Pollak : President Walter Emerson
Timothy Hutton : Marshall Thompson
Sheryl Lee Ralph: Gayle Redford
Clotilde Courau : Katie
Badja Djola : Harvey
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Set in 2008, President Walter Emerson (Kevin Pollak), formerly Vice President and elevated by the death of the previous (unseen) commander-in-chief, is crossing the country on a campaign tour when a freak snowstorm traps him in a remote Colorado diner with members of his staff plus a group of ordinary citizens.
Suddenly, word arrives that Uday Hussein, leader of Iraq, has invaded Kuwait. Using a television cameraman who is following his campaign, Emerson notifies the world that unless Hussein orders an immediate retreat and personally surrenders, he will bomb Baghdad with a nuclear weapon.
Hussein, through his United Nations envoy, refuses to back down and cuts off telephone negotiations, claiming Emerson is an non-elected leader and also a Jew. He threatens to fire Iraq’s black-market nuclear missiles at several global locations including Emerson’s own, near NORAD in Colorado, if his country comes under attack.
It is learned that Iraq purchased these weapons from France. Despite being a U.S. ally, the French president appears to be cavalier in confirming this with Emerson and his entourage. The sites of the missile launchers include Libya and North Korea.
Emerson is counseled by his chief of staff, Marshall Thompson, a former university classmate, and by his national security adviser, Gayle Redford. Once his ultimatum is made and the countdown to his deadline begins, the President and his staff are confronted with the opinions of the diner’s customers, including its angry owner and cook, Harvey, and a young bigot named Ralph.
Emerson is not only adamant in his beliefs, he seems every bit as willing as Hussein to trigger a nuclear war. He orders a B-2 bomber to cross Iraq’s borders despite the threats of the Iraqi ambassador that this would constitute an act of war. In retaliation, the Iraqis transport 23 nuclear I.C.B.M.s to various corners of the world, including Australia, Japan, France and other targets. Read more
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