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MPAA RATING: Rated PG-13 for language including sexual references, some alcohol abuse, smoking and brief disturbing war images
Starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Banks, Richard Dreyfuss, James Cromwell, Ellen Burstyn, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Scott Glenn, and Ioan Gruffudd
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. (Lionsgate)
| GENRE(S): | Comedy | Drama |
| WRITTEN BY: | Stanley Weiser |
| DIRECTED BY: | Oliver Stone |
| RELEASE DATE: | Theatrical: October 17, 2008 |
| RUNNING TIME: | minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: | USA |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 4.9 (out of 10) based on 60 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Mark L. gave it a0:
I did expect that the movie would cast Bush in a bad light, but do so in an interesting and educative way. This was a Bush critique at the level of a Middle School yard fight. Virtually every scene showed him as a weakling, bafoon, or eviildoer. It was a boring and obvious caricature, not a movie that explained his (perceived) failures in an intelligent or illuminative light. There was no hint of the qualities and strengths that made him president, and before that, a successful and immensely popular Governor, and therefore, no explanation why these qualities failed him and the country during the last eight years.
Armond A. gave it a7:
While this film doesn't offer the viewer any new information, it does assemble the pieces we have all seen before into an interesting and plausible account of the man who many consider the worst US President in a long list populated with few heroes, numerous mediocrities, and a good bunch of failures. There is something morbidly fascinating about someone who has done so badly in such high office. Stone's timing in bringing out this film has been questioned by some, but one might say that it would have been very interesting to have gotten an account of the captain of the Titanic while standing on the deck of the ship as it slipped lower and lower into the icy ocean. Adding to the dark humor are the performances of several of the supporting players. Let me single out Thandie Newton's stunning interpretation of Condoleezza Rice as a fawning, servile Aunt Jemima, and Richard Dreyfuss as a ferociously intense schemer. Like many, I don't know what, exactly, to make of this film, but it really is a thoughtful piece, and it has some very clever moments. If you're one of the 25% of the populace who still consider the real W's job performance acceptable, then you're not going to enjoy this movie. For the rest of us it's an intriguing and amusing effort by a very good craftsman.
Commando Dude gave it a3:
This movie was incredibly lame. It failed to tell me anything which I didn't know about Bush, namely that he's an incompetant moron who acts before he thinks and is a horrible leader. The film trys to garner sympathy for the man the entire time and made me want to Gag. It wasn't funny, and about halfway through I just wanted to get up and leave, and I've NEVER had that feeling before.
Barold W. gave it a2:
Good acting but I thought this movie was going to be funny and was extremely disappointed. Who cares what happened in this idiots life, at least give us some laughs after all he's done to us!
Rea gave it a4:
I was hooked by the trailer and Director Oliver Stone's reputation. Both disappointed. Though the image was painstakingly crafted to show characters, there was a lack of spirit moving through it. It was basic 'ambulance chasing'..Jerry Springer material. It struck me as low level made-for-TV rather than incisive film making. About an hour into it, I wondered if someone bought off or threatened Stone to do that script, which didn't even begin to scratch the surface of the truths around that family and their politics. Brolin's portrayal was terrific, but the script was so devoid of any real meat, he didn't have enough to work with. Why were W's inner conflicts and demons displayed like dirty laundry without addressing where the dirt came from? This was like a Jerry Springer invites Geo to his show. I imagine there are compelling reasons for Stone to not go beyond painting a sort of distorted Lord's Supper casting W surrounded by his own 'disciples', but I was hoping for something that was less a shallow marionette show of exquisitely crafted puppets for more of HOW this man came to be in that office and WHY. The film was too one-dimensional for me. We are not fully described by our image/presentation--we are also described by the effects we produce, and our relationships. Stone hinted l at the relationships but didn't allow the supporting cast much range to show his reflection-effect in them. Real statements about that vs. constant harping on his mannerisms and weaknesses was the contribution I was looking for...and didn't find.
Mike D. gave it a3:
Nothing particularly enlightening about the movie.
Randy M. gave it a6:
While the film was rather dull in it's presentation, I have to give kudos to the actors for having a very strong presence on-screen. I also found myself looking at Mr. Bush in a rather different light. Rather than my usual extreme distaste for him, I almost started feeling....sympathetic. Almost.
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