By Anne Navarro
Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Director Errol Morris' documentary "The Fog of War" (Sony Classics) is a riveting look at a man, a government and a turbulent time in a country's history which both examines the past and contemplates the present.

Morris peers into the mind of Robert McNamara, the U.S. secretary of defense under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, and what is revealed is at turns intimate, anticipated and surprising. Still full of energy and opinions at age 85, McNamara is a fine subject, an entertaining character as well as a man of substance. He seems like a man trying to make amends, but on his own terms. It is as if he wants to reshape his image into one of a more gentle, thoughtful man, even during the time of his appointment.

It is easy to see why "The Fog of War" won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. Morris tightly weaves varying elements into his story, from history to personalities to morality, using McNamara as a guide. Yet Morris clearly conveys to the audience the guide's biases and inclinations. (McNamara fully admits he has learned to answer not the question that was asked, but the question he would have wanted asked.) It is a film as much about McNamara as a high-powered government official attempting to balance power, ambition and moral responsibility as it is about the Vietnam War and Cold War.

On its surface, the film is visually slick, using precise editing, gripping wartime footage and clever illustrations to drive home a point. All of this is tied together with a synergetic score which punctuates the film's theme that humans are fallible creatures and war is messy business. McNamara, eyes twinkling, imparts lessons he has learned along the way about human nature and the nature of warfare. Morris divides these into 11 title cards, encapsulating each tutorial succinctly with headings such as "No. 1, Empathize with your enemy," "No. 8, Be prepared to re-examine your reasoning," and "No. 9, In order to do good, you may need to engage evil."

Although it is not closely examined, the morality of going to war weighs heavily in the air. McNamara describes World War I as a celebration in the belief that the world could now avoid war among great nations. There is no need to elaborate any more on the irony of his point. He declares, "War is so complex, we can't comprehend all the variables," a thought that resonates with Americans, especially now.

It is in his revelations of closed-door discussions that the viewer can begin to grasp the machinations of engaging the enemy. And given our own turbulent times, the viewer anticipates that McNamara will comment on the war in Iraq, which he disappointingly does not do.

"The Fog of War" engages with its pitch-perfect tone and finely crafted storytelling, leaving the viewer wanting more.

Because of some frightful scenes of war and a few instances of profanity, the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Navarro is a part-time reviewer in the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.