Oct 23 2008
REVIEW: W
I wanted to let this one sit for awhile. I wanted to see if it would really make an impact. I wanted to see if it would surprise me. Could I be surprised anymore? After five days ‘W‘ still sits with me in my gut. Much like the rather current The Queen before it, W hits you like a ton of bricks. Nevermind the fact that a lot of what goes on is conjecture from supposedly true events. If only 10% of these events truly happened then, well, there is a god because he saved us from utter destruction.
The commercials make this film look like a parody, satire, or comedy. It is none of these. This is straight drama. Those of you who are George Bush Sr. fans. . .you’ll love this film. He is, by comparison, a living legend compared to the title character. I, myself, was a George Bush Sr. fan. He was a solid President and a great man. I have NEVER liked George Bush, Jr. I voted for NADER in 2000 because he and Gore were the same entity. I voted for Kerry in 2004 simply because of my dislike of the man. This movie doesn’t earn him any supporters though it does, I am not surprised to say, give him a fair shot. Oliver Stone is a fantastic film maker who is not afraid to show the weaknesses and strengths of any character he decides to focus on. They are human beings and he doesn’t subject his biggest and most realistic subject to any less standard.
The cast is superb. When it comes Oscar time James Cromwell’s approach to GB Sr. will garner him a nomination. If anyone is going to win an Oscar this year it will be the haunting Richard Dreyfuss. Dreyfuss’ turn as Dick Cheney is the most frightening thing I’ve ever seen. More so than Freddy, more so than Jason, more so than anything horror specific I have ever seen in my lifetime. Why? Because it’s real. And like I said: if only 10% then all mighty lord, you have a new believer!
The film is probably the most straight forward film from Oliver Stone ever. There isn’t any bizarre editing or creepy music here. Much like David Lynch’s The Straight Story, this is Stone doing a complete, uncomplicated bio-pic. Josh Brolin may appear a little cartoony but this motion picture is top notch in the acting department, the writing department, and in the bravery department. It is bizarre that for his most mundane film, Stone may go down in history for doing something ‘crazy’ and ‘unheard of’: going against the establishment while they are still in power.
***1/2 out of ****
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Josh Brolin did a convincing Dubya, though it reminded me a lot of his cowboy character from No Country for Old Men… over all, i don’t doubt that ‘W.’ will have the effect Oliver Stone desired
Green Peace Party 2000!! I was right there with you.