A GOOD AMERICAN

Cinemavixion Review

Friedrich Moser's documentary, 'A Good American,' emerges as a compelling, albeit tragic, examination of what might have been. The film meticulously details the work of Bill Binney, a former NSA technical director, and his team who developed a revolutionary surveillance tool, 'ThinThread,' capable of identifying potential threats with unprecedented efficiency and privacy safeguards. It posits a chilling scenario: that this program, deemed too inexpensive by NSA leadership, was shelved just weeks before the September 11th attacks. The documentary skillfully weaves together interviews and archival information to construct a powerful argument, leaving viewers to ponder the profound implications of bureaucratic decisions and the potential to avert disaster. With a solid 7.3 rating on IMDb and an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 'A Good American' is a vital piece of investigative filmmaking that raises crucial questions about intelligence, oversight, and the cost of security.