Bright Boy

Bright Boy: The Passion of Robert McNamara is a somewhat historical and largely allegorical comedy dealing with American politics during the war that tore this country apart…last century.

Bright Boy tells the story of Robert McNamara who was the Secretary of Defense, while America faced the Cuban Missile Crisis, domestic paranoia of Communist aggression, and an escalating conflict in Vietnam. He joined the President’s cabinet, as Secretary of Defense, just five weeks after being appointed as the first non-family President of Ford Motor Company. McNamara’s policies at Ford are credited for leading to the company’s unprecedented expansion. His policies as Secretary of Defense are credited for leading to a US Military build-up, and to the expansion of the Vietnam War. James Eckhouse directs.