According to our fascinating subject, the former US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld, there are known knowns. There are known unknowns. There are unknown unknowns, and there are unknown knowns. If you’re lost, fear not, because as challenging as this may all sound, renowned, Academy Award winning documentarian Errol Morris, has simplified this controversial politician’s tenure wonderfully, to make for a captivating and accessible piece of cinema.
Rumsfeld was the youngest ever holder of the aforementioned position, first taking on the influential role during Gerald Ford’s administration in the 70s, before then becoming the oldest too, re-filling the position while George W. Bush was in office between 2001 and 2006. Though it was the latter that earned Rumsfeld his notorious, some may say nefarious, reputation – following his involvement in the War on Terror – and it’s that very invasion of Iraq which dominates much of his discussion with a palpably incensed Morris.
Though The Unknown Known is effectively just one lengthy conversation – with old footage and imagery woven into proceedings – as with any of Morris’ films, it feels enlarged suitably for a big screen release, with minimum contrivance, as your attention never once waivers, certainly helped along in this respect, by the overtly cinematic Danny Elfman score. Though his political stance is less than ambiguous, Morris never hogs the limelight, taking a step back and allowing his subject to take centre stage. We hear his voice, yet he’s not a consistent, overshadowing presence.
The reason behind this film’s success, is mostly Don’s quite absorbing personality, as a beguiling figure who makes for such a remarkable subject, as he manages to keep up a facade of sorts, and maintain a brave face in spite of the allegations and accusations thrown his way. The film’s very title derives from an infamous speech Rumsfeld made, which is symbolic of his ability to distract and deviate away from the issue at hand, and it’s something we see take place in this documentary, as he seems so concerned with poetic speech and memorable sayings, that he often ignores the genuine question at hand.
That being said, Morris manages to humanise him effectively, as although Rumsfeld makes it a challenge to get beneath the surface, we do see the man behind the mask. When Morris asks a sharp and direct question, in that split second before answering, we can get a sense for the real response simply from Rumsfeld’s split-second reaction. It’s very easy to dehumanise political figures, and see them as robots that must make the correct decision every time, and yet we’re able to see beyond that in this instance, and appreciate that while this man has made some enemies in his time, the pressure and immensity of his former vocation is staggering. That’s not to say the film shies away from scrutiny, as Morris probes his interviewee, asking bold and ridiculing questions, yet always intelligently and respectfully.
At times The Unknown Known does get somewhat convoluted, and the order of events is somewhat frustrating, as Morris seems disinclined to follow a chronological structure, as we drift between eras fluently. That aside, there is much to be admired and taken away from this production. Mostly that, there are known knowns. There are known unknowns. There are unknown unknowns, and there are unknown knowns. Make any sense yet?
[Rating:3/5]
