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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Where's the hook...?, 20 Nov 2009
Oliver Stone brings his undeniable talent to this biopic of George `Dubya' Bush.. supported by one of those to-die-for casts he seems to have at his beck and call. There's no question this is slickly put together, and that Josh Brolin is completely convincing as the title character .... but as a movie experience there is just something missing.
Stone presents Bush as a follower rather than a leader. Someone who is driven by being under the shadow of his brother in his parents eyes, and whose political drive to succeed is a mirror of his drive to succeed in his father's eyes. Surrounding him, we have a veritable who's who of Hollywood acting as all the well known string pullers behind him and around him - most of whom are thinly drawn, not being the centre of attention - but of all of them, Richard Dreyfuss does a surprisingly good job of fleshing out Dick Cheney. There's a little jolt of energy whenever he has a moment on screen, particularly sparring with Colin Powell. But these are asides, with W's evolving character being the focus, and so as the movie goes on, we see Bush at different times of his life. From College pranks through trying to find a job he wants to keep, meeting Laura, becoming born again (watch out for a great Stacey Keach turn) and starting his political career.. all told non linearly, interspersed with the period of time that will dominate his place in history - going to war with Iraq.
With all those fine ingredients however, it seems that something has been left out - some excitement, some dramatic hook to draw you in. Frankly, Bush's life, rather like his presidency some would argue, is rather dull. In the end, the enjoyment of the movie is in the details.. enjoying watching for Hollywood well known faces playing political well known faces, learning a little about Dubya's earlier life. But we don't come away much richer for the experience. Stone's interpretation of the man is valid, but never feels insightful enough or definitive, neither does it have the cinematic or dramatic energy of, say, `Nixon'. It's not a disaster, but neither does it sparkle. Sometimes interesting, never fascinating. Perhaps it is too soon, and looking back in twenty years or more this will be regarded in higher esteem.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
W, Blu-Ray, 31 Mar 2009
`W' follows George W Bush's path to the Whitehouse and when there, the path to war with Iraq. He comes across as a spoilt, rich boy desperately seeking his fathers approval and who slowly starts to believe his own hype and propaganda. This film shows how much influence Cheney actually had and also how much Karl Rove manipulated and lead Bush throughout his political career. The war is shown to be about oil and imperialist ambition and although Bush believed in what he was doing, he is shown to be misguided and flawed in his world view. This film is well directed with excellent performances from both Brolin and Dreyfuss. Thandie Newton, on the other hand, was terrible, her accent and overall acting is very wooden and lacks any skill whatsoever. Bush comes across as a very religious man and ultimately he let his religion influence his politics, to the detriment of world political stability and this film shows that aspect very well. This isn't the most flattered bio-pic of George W Bush but it does give a deeper understanding of his character, even if it does reinforce your negative opinions of him and his deeply flawed administration. Worth a viewing.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good But Limited, 31 Dec 2008
I give this DVD a three star rating.
I have read some things about George Bush and his early career prior to watching this film, and it was interesting how the film focused on certain things rather than others. It was also interesting the film came out whilst he is still in office thus limited somewhat how much criticism can be lobbyed towards him.
The primary focus of the film suggests that George Bush Jnr was a bit of a waste of time in his early years with a history of quitting jobs and not amounting to very much, much to the chargrin of his father, the formidable George Snr. The film charts the rise through the political ranks that George took, and largely shows a fortunate Bush with well placed allies allowing him becoming president. There is a strong cinematic emphasis on the relationship between Dubya and his father. There is excellent acting throughout from all the characters. The actors who play Condaleeza Rice, Don Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney and others are all worth commending.
Criticisms that I have are that two or three of the most well-known parts of Bushes presidential career are missed out of the film completely. It would have been good to see Bush responding to when Al Gore was declared the winner of the 2000 election, it is well-known that he called Gore and congratulated him. His campaign against John Kerry is also omitted. Also, the infamous moment where he was informed of the 9/11 attacks, those interpretations were missed out entirely, although a board meeting regarding the attacks and the decision to go to war with Iraq are covered at great length.
From a viewing perspective, this is an enjoyable movie to watch, although not quite the comedy I expected. The viewer may love it, or like me feel there was a little further they could, and perhaps should have gone with it - which perhaps they would have done if Obama was in office and they waited before making the film. Overall, it shows Bush to be a good-hearted if slightly vague character.
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