Shock and Awe is an interesting film more so than either a really good or bad one. It lays out simply what we I think have pretty much come to know that the invasion of Iraq was a farce. And it does so in a rather enjoyable way with a decent cast (it was nice to see Biel in a role again too (even it wasn't a very meaningful one), and clear and light story telling. But for this topic perhaps too light, intermitting the plot by scooping in reporter's Strobel's personal dating life take away of the importance of the story at hand. And while the film almost within the first 5 minutes has already made its point it meanders one another 80min. both brisk and messy at the same time. Reiner's directing lacks gravitas to have this even come close to other reporting films like Spotlight, The Post or Truth of late. His turn as the Knight Ridder's editor is not bad though. The more fascinating part of the film, just comes from the story behind it itself. Largely everyone in America wanted a war, and they were going to get it no matter what. The rest either didn't care or was opposed, and among the press only Knight Ridder decided to figure out the truth. But they were paddling up stream and ended up not succeeding in having the narrative changed that most people and especially those with power and self-interest in the war didn't want changed. One scene I found standing out with that was when Strobel (Marshden) is trying to explain to Biel's father that a war wouldn't be justifiable, but the man is not buying it, and Strobel is pissed off about it, but at the same time does not seem to have the argument to change the mind of man who's mind doesn't want to be changed.
It's a shame, and ironic, that the film was given a very similar treatment as the story it was covering. As a result it succeeds in being competent with a cast that showed up, but just isn't able to pull off being really engaging or memorable.

C+