Okay, "Thirteen Days" - Underrated Tension & Perspective?

Hey everyone, Sarah (cinephile_sarah) here! Just rewatched "Thirteen Days" and I'm struck, as always, by how effectively it builds tension despite the fact that, you know, we know how it ends. I think a big part of that comes down to the almost claustrophobic cinematography. There are SO many scenes inside the White House, crammed with people, faces lit from below by maps and briefing documents. It really puts you in that room, feeling the pressure cook. The way they use close-ups, especially on Kevin Costner as Kenny O'Donnell, really sells the weight of responsibility he's carrying. He's not the President, but you see the crisis reflected in his face and his reactions. And speaking of perspectives... That's what I wanted to chat about specifically: the perspective. This isn't a super patriotic, flag-waving take. It's told very much from O'Donnell's point of view, a guy who's trying to navigate the political machinations and sheer human fallibility of everyone involved. It's almost a cynical, but ultimately hopeful, look at leadership under unimaginable stress. Did anyone else pick up on that? I almost wish the film had leaned even more into that perspective--maybe even made it almost too honest. I'm also curious about the director. Why do we not know who directed this film? Is it really Roger Donaldson? It weirds me out that there is no consensus online. What does anyone know, or any theories about it? Anyway, I think it's a solid political thriller that deserves more attention, especially for its use of intimate camerawork to amplify the global stakes. Thoughts? Am I totally off base here?