W.
I doubt there will be a movie all year that has as much pressure, controversy, and scrutiny than Oliver Stone's W. This makes Stone's third presidential film, he successfully has already tread the tracks of Kennedy (JFK) and Richard Nixon (Nixon). Both films were critically acclaimed and thrust the director into the forefront of American directors. However, he has hit a critical stump as of late. His last 2 films, Alexander and World Trade Center, were critical and box office bombs. I didn't seen the latter, however I didn't hate Alexander as much as anyone else. When the news hit that he was making a presidential bio-pic of the sitting duck president George W. Bush, as he still resides in the oval office, the naysayers began wagging their tongues. How could he possibly rush this film to theaters before the election? The right wingers cried wolf before the film was even written. A lot of people were angry, a lot of people were doubting he would be able to pull out a good film in such a short time.
Well I am here to tell you, he pulled out a great film. Going into the film I wasn't sure of what to expect, but being a Stone fan from the past, I figured it would be him nailing the last nail into George W. Bush's public persona. I expected the film to be hilarious and make a mockery about any and everything Bush has dipped his Texan hands into. No doubt in my mind it would be a leftist; highly liberal film. I wasn't altogether right, which is the main reason I am about to rave about this film. If you are going into W to laugh at how stupid president Bush is, or to throw stones at his legacy - you will only be half pleased. If you are looking for a truly three dimensional character piece, fine acting, passionate direction, and a story about the greed and failure of modern day politics - you are in for a treat.
The film begins with only one name before the actions kick starts, that's Josh Brolin's of course. He is the only name mentioned until the credits roll. And this is because its Brolin's film. He gives a performance which I certainly hope will be rewarded with some awards or at least nominations this film season. Playing a living person is always tricky, especially if that person is a household name, and can be seen on television daily. Brolin doesn't stick to a mockery performance, which is refreshing. He vaguely looks like Goergie (in some scenes he looks so much like him its scary), however he definately has his mannerisms down to a T. There are certain scenes that are copycat speeches from George addressing the state of the Union, which are very impressive. But honestly, he shines most as W. at home, with his wife, his college buddies, and most effective - his cabinet members. No matter which way you slice it, Brolin is astounding.
Stone wisely tells the story not trying to make Bush the villain. It almost seems that he aims to paint Bush in the light of a victim. Which is both successful and maddening. Before seeing the film, I had my mind made up about Bush - this film is not going to change anyones minds I doubt (however I could be wrong). But it definitely went along with my hunches about his presidency thus far. George here is seen simply as a boy trying to please his father. We get Georges story from his college days up until 2004 in the height of the still going Iraq war. And it is clearly a story of a powerful father, and a son who feels like a black sheep. Although his brother Jeb is never shown, he is a driving point in the story. George Senior puts all his faith in Jeb Bush who was politically inclined while W. was drinking and getting drunk. That sets W into his lifelong goal to please his father and one-up his brother. And boy did he.
The villians in the film version lie mostly in W.'s cabinet members. I think that is a truthful take on the subject either. It is afterall, Dick Cheney's connection to the oil companies that have earned trillions of dollars from the war in Iraq. It was his mis-information about weapons of mass destruction that lead us to war, and were never there. It was his right hand woman Condoleeze Rice who overlooked important memos warning about 9/11. Karl Rove trampled over anyone to claim victory. The film does a good job showing this motley crew in a villainous and evil light. However, through it all, we have our "hero" George W. Bush who allows these people to play him like a puppet - throwing our country into another war and another depression. It provides a great ammount of turmoil for the audience. Do you ever want to root for someone so naive, so out of his league, and so willing to allow others control his every move? No, you won't. You will see that George W. Bush is the biggest villain of all, despite getting to know him "privately". Despite feeling his pain as his mother tells him he cannot win. Despite his desperation turning into Christianity as he grasps hold of any group of people who will accept him as is. The film shows you some of W's best personality traits you may have forgotten. He is funny. He loves his wife. He has overcome addiction. But while you can find new places to connect - you ultimately leave counting down the days before he is out of office.
As mentioned, Brolin is spectacular, there are many more notable performances to be seen. James Cromwell would be second billed as George Bush Senior. Like Brolin, he doesn't care much physical resemblance, but he nails him as well. The always fantastic Ellen Burstyn plays Barbara Bush, and sadly she is dramatically underused. Thats a major problem I have with the film -- you dont case Ellen Burstyn and not use her! Elizabeth Banks makes a charming Laura Bush, much better than the real anamatronic version we have now living in the white house. However (besides Brolin), the two stars of the film are Richard Dreyfuss and Thandie Newton. These two pull off the most dead on physical and verbal portrayals. Dreyfuss is Dick Cheney and he is just as schmarmy and evil as the real thing. The speech he gives in intimate quarters in front of a huge map of the world will give you chills (if it doesn't you may not have a soul). And Thandie Newton ... who knew?! Thandie is gorgeous and she nails the froggish Condoleeza Rice. Although she is never given quite enough, she is always a silent counterpart allowing the bullying of W. to continue. She should have a movie of her own.
One can only imagine that in 90-some days, when W is sitting at his ranch in Texas, will he prop up on the sofa with some pretzels, his dog, and watch the dvd of this film? Doubtful. But you can imagine him being a very lonely old man. When the people who lead his astray continue to make millions as he sits and contemplates what went wrong. And I fear, if the God he believes so fervently in does exsist, he will have a lot to account for.
***1/2 out of *****
