Upon hearing of this movie, and seeing subsequent trailers and ads, I was sure that I was going to see a movie portraying George W. Bush as a bumbling idiot. Although my political affiliation is quite the opposite of Mr. Bush, I avoided this movie (at first) simply because I didn't need to see him made out as a fool. This much, I thought, was freely available on the news.
What I received in W. was a surprise. Bush was not made out to be a bumbling fool... at least that wasn't the core of his character. What we see is a man struggling to come to grips with his relationship with his father (President George H.W. Bush). We see a man driven, not by his own stupidity or by a selfish thirst for power, but by the need to please his "poppy." Had this movie not been about a highly controversial (and still sitting) president, we'd have sympathy for a man living in his father's shadow. We'd cheer his breaking himself of his alcohol abuse. And we'd appreciate his commitment to his religion (which seemed to be underplayed). While far from a love story to Bush, he comes across as human. Just as we cheer for Lester, the "hero" of "American Beauty," as he attempts to overcome his daemons (internal and external), Brolin's portrayal gives us someone, save for our preconceptions of the man, to cry for.
But, alas, this is the story of a man that we all have strong opinions about. Some will find it hard to feel sympathy for the man or to cheer his personal victories, simply because we know how our lives have been affected. Those that continue to support Bush will likely find that the movie focuses too much on his weaknesses -- not seeing that, perhaps, what redeems Bush is that he's a flawed individual.
The other characters in the film, such as Rove, Cheney, Powell, and Rice, come across as cartoons. We see Rove, not as an "evil genius," but as a socially awkward nerd. We see Cheney as being the real driver behind everything Bush has done. But the character comes across neither as particularly cunning or particularly outspoken. Condi Rice comes across as a giggly schoolgirl, except without any giggles. And Powell, we see, is the only person who was willing to speak out against numerous bad moves, only to be broken. If this film is a love story to anyone, it is Powell.
The other character also suffer from poor impersonations. While the look for Condi was pretty good, the voice was too much a parody, akin to Tina Fey's Sarah Palin -- spot on, but a bit too much. This same problem permeated the other characters. Alas, this was necessary for we've come to expert a certain look, style, and voice from these people we see on our televisions.
Elizabeth Banks comes across as much too young and hot to give us the style and sense of Laura Bush. James Cromwell turns in a solid performance, as always. In part, his role of George Bush Sr. was saved because he didn't try to do a Dana Carvey impersonation. He delivered a performance that focused on the inner man and not on the look or voice.
In the end, this is a pretty good movie. If you bring your preconceptions, and you will, you will find much to hate. Bush haters will not like the fact that we see, at times, a human being. Bush champions will call this movie criminal, because it blurs the line between truth and fiction, and doesn't support claims that Bush is the best president ever.
See it because you want to see a skillful mix of drama and comedy. Do not see this movie thinking it's the nail in the Bush presidency coffin. And do not see this movie because you want ammunition to show how partisan liberals are. In all cases, you will be disappointed.
What I received in W. was a surprise. Bush was not made out to be a bumbling fool... at least that wasn't the core of his character. What we see is a man struggling to come to grips with his relationship with his father (President George H.W. Bush). We see a man driven, not by his own stupidity or by a selfish thirst for power, but by the need to please his "poppy." Had this movie not been about a highly controversial (and still sitting) president, we'd have sympathy for a man living in his father's shadow. We'd cheer his breaking himself of his alcohol abuse. And we'd appreciate his commitment to his religion (which seemed to be underplayed). While far from a love story to Bush, he comes across as human. Just as we cheer for Lester, the "hero" of "American Beauty," as he attempts to overcome his daemons (internal and external), Brolin's portrayal gives us someone, save for our preconceptions of the man, to cry for.
But, alas, this is the story of a man that we all have strong opinions about. Some will find it hard to feel sympathy for the man or to cheer his personal victories, simply because we know how our lives have been affected. Those that continue to support Bush will likely find that the movie focuses too much on his weaknesses -- not seeing that, perhaps, what redeems Bush is that he's a flawed individual.
The other characters in the film, such as Rove, Cheney, Powell, and Rice, come across as cartoons. We see Rove, not as an "evil genius," but as a socially awkward nerd. We see Cheney as being the real driver behind everything Bush has done. But the character comes across neither as particularly cunning or particularly outspoken. Condi Rice comes across as a giggly schoolgirl, except without any giggles. And Powell, we see, is the only person who was willing to speak out against numerous bad moves, only to be broken. If this film is a love story to anyone, it is Powell.
The other character also suffer from poor impersonations. While the look for Condi was pretty good, the voice was too much a parody, akin to Tina Fey's Sarah Palin -- spot on, but a bit too much. This same problem permeated the other characters. Alas, this was necessary for we've come to expert a certain look, style, and voice from these people we see on our televisions.
Elizabeth Banks comes across as much too young and hot to give us the style and sense of Laura Bush. James Cromwell turns in a solid performance, as always. In part, his role of George Bush Sr. was saved because he didn't try to do a Dana Carvey impersonation. He delivered a performance that focused on the inner man and not on the look or voice.
In the end, this is a pretty good movie. If you bring your preconceptions, and you will, you will find much to hate. Bush haters will not like the fact that we see, at times, a human being. Bush champions will call this movie criminal, because it blurs the line between truth and fiction, and doesn't support claims that Bush is the best president ever.
See it because you want to see a skillful mix of drama and comedy. Do not see this movie thinking it's the nail in the Bush presidency coffin. And do not see this movie because you want ammunition to show how partisan liberals are. In all cases, you will be disappointed.
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