W.

Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Ellen Burstyn, James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Scott Glenn, Toby Jones, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Iaon Gruffudd, Noah Wyle, Rob Cordrry, Colin Hanks, Jesse Bradford, Jason Ritter
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: George W. Bush (Josh Brolin) rises to become the 43rd President of the United States, and makes a questionable decision to push the U.S. into a war in Iraq.

Review:

Tim: The danger with this movie is that people will watch it and think it is a factual account of the Presidency of George W. Bush. This is not the case. However, it is a highly entertaining look at what Oliver Stone imagines Bush's presidency was like. If you can make this distinction, then bravo. I was able to realize that what I was watching wasn't very accurate, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of this film. Oliver Stone assembles an amazing cast who are all perfect for their parts. For this reason, I really liked this movie. I also appreciate this is the first movie biography about a sitting president.

Josh Brolin is terrific as George W. Bush. It would have been so easy to impersonate Bush, or make him a charicature. Instead, Brolin plays Bush the man, trying to capture his essence. Throughout most of the film, he accomplishes this. I was glad to see Elizabeth Banks cast as Laura Bush. She doesn't exactly resemble the (now) former First Lady, but she is good in her role. Ellen Burstyn was very good as Barbara Bush. I have to mention James Cromwell as former President George H.W. Bush. There were moments when Cromwell disappears as an actor and completely embraced the role of the previous President. Those moments were remarkable to see. Much of this film focuses on the relationship between the two Bush men (and where the film really strays from the truth, I believe) and this actually accounts for some of the best scenes. Brolin and Cromwell are excellent on screen together.

The supporting cast may be even more amazing than the top-liners. Richard Dreyfuss was fantastic as Dick Cheney. Jeffrey Wright gave about as true and good of a performance as Colin Powell as I think any actor could ever hope to achieve. Wright was amazing. Thandie Newton completely changed her appearance and I thought she was great as Condoleeza Rice. Toby Jones is impressive as Karl Rove. I really liked him in this part. Scott Glenn was the weak link, as I never really bought him as Donald Rumsfeld. This movie truly works because of the cast- each actor truly represented the part they were playing. Some of the best scenes involve all these actors sitting around a table, discussing and arguing. I loved these moments. I was also so happy to see Ioan Gruffudd as Tony Blair. I'm a big Gruffudd fan, and I was glad to see him get this part. Stone truly assembled an impressive cast here.

W. is a movie that I know people will take as the gospel truth. I can't stress enough how foolish this is. I was able to realize that this is a stylish, fictional (sorry Oliver Stone) account of the second Bush presidency. Looking at the movie from this point of view, I can appreciate it for its entertainment value. I left this movie not more informed about Bush, but completely entertained. For that reason, I really enjoyed this movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Nixon, JFK, Primary Colors, Heat, The American President, The Contender