Release Date: October 17, 2008 Studio: Lionsgate MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Comedy •
Drama Director: Oliver Stone Writers: Stanley Weiser Cast: Elizabeth Banks, Josh Brolin, Rob Corddry, James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Michael Gaston, Scott Glenn, Ioan Gruffudd, Stacy Keach, Thandie Newton, Jason Ritter, Jeffrey Wright, Noah Wyle Synopsis: Whether you love him or hate him, there is no question that George W. Bush is one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory. In an unprecedented undertaking, acclaimed director Oliver Stone is bringing the life of our 43rd President to the big screen as only he can. W. takes viewers through Bush’s eventful life -- his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith, and of course the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq. The Review: Oliver Stone’s “W” somehow manages to be both a comical farce and a tragic non-fiction, following our erstwhile leader from his ill-spent college days through his myriad failed careers and family squabbles, culminating in his resolution to invade Iraq and his subsequent reaction to having been (gasp) wrong in his decision to do so. Throughout, Stone reminds us that The Man is only human, using shock visuals like the “prez” in his tighty whiteys, or sitting on the toilet.
I can only guess at how much of the script was, well, scripted, vs. taken from verifiable sources. Now, I am no fan of the Man from Texas; I’m happy to see him lampooned and exposed for what he is, but I am fairly certain there is enough legitimate source material that this movie could have been made without too many changes and been labeled a documentary. Hopefully the DVD extras will clarify how much of the angsty relationship between “Poppy” Bush & W as portrayed by Stone has any basis in reality; I would also love to hear whether Rove & W’s relationship in the movie is pure conjecture, or based on testimony of observers over the years.
Regardless of the nebulous truthiness* in some scenes, enough of the script is clearly taken from readily available transcripts and public moments to remind even the most conservative skeptic that the man with his finger on the “nucular” (argh!) button is clearly unqualified to lead an ethics discussion, let alone a nation into war.
Casting was excellent; the media fuss over Brolin’s spot-on W impression is very well deserved. Thandie Newton’s perfectly copied Condi was hilarious and pathetic all at once. Toby Jones as Rove and Richard Dreyfuss as Cheney both slightly disappointed me with their weasel-y harmlessness (I’ve always more readily identified with Lil’ Cheney on Comedy Central; he drinks the blood of small animals and shows up with Darth Vader for Bring your Dad to School Day). I really felt Dreyfuss especially missed an opportunity to emanate a lot more diabolical mind-control-Cheney-ness; instead he came off as merely another of many players throwing their own best interests into W’s path as he fuddles his way towards his father’s approval. The overall effect is that the entire group making the decisions that steer the world are a bunch of clueless hacks rather than evil warlords as I’ve always suspected.
The one bit of casting that really stumps me is James Cromwell as Poppy Bush. Not only did Cromwell not even attempt what should have been an easy impression of George Sr., he would, at 6’5+, tower over the former president’s 5’11. The only reason I can see for this blatant mis-casting was reflected in a scene where father and son amble through the Rangers stadium in Texas, and Poppy towers over Jr. in a physical manifestation of the “constantly in his shadow” dynamic that allegedly drives W to his god-appointed-destiny.
Stone departed briefly from full-on-satire to touch on the truly tragic costs of the real W’s actions; footage from Iraq of dead and injured civilians, along with introductions to two badly maimed American Soldiers are grim reminders that this clown we all parody and mock has had a truly evil effect on the world around us. Instead of leaving the theater laughing, I left reminded of my resolve to be more socially and politically aware in the future, lest another regime of self-serving war-mongers be allowed in on my watch.
Overall, well done, Mr. Stone; you’ve raised curiosity, questions and dialogue, and reminded us that the man in charge is, after all, still just a man. Readers, please get to the polls on November 4th.
* Spell-check, take note. Thanks to Steve Colbert, Truthiness needs to be added to your database as a legitimate word. Nyah. Rating:
