W

Having not read the reviews, I approached W with an open mind. After all, I have enjoyed many of Oliver Stone's films in the past, and I think Josh Brolin is on the type of acting roll that creates Oscar winners. However, I also have a bit of apprehension about any politically motivated skewering of one of the most controversial presidents in the history of our country, not to mention the current leader of the free world.

I was surprised and pleased that the film focused less on the mistakes that George Bush has made (although those were certainly incorporated) and more on the growth and path that led him to the white house. Perhaps the most interesting and entertaining aspect of the film was the supporting cast of players, who all did an exceptional job with the exception of Thandie Newton, who I can't tell if she intentionally made Condoleeza Rice look like an ignorant puppet, or if that's just how it turned out. Anyway, from Dick Cheney, to George Bush, Karl Rove and Donald Rumsfeld, the actors hit the characters with stellar accuracy.

Especially remarkable were the performances of Jeffrey Wright playing Colin Powell, and Josh Brolin playing W himself. I fully expect Oscar nominations for Brolin as well as either Cromwell or Dreyfuss based on the pivotal scenes and likenesses of character. The story is compelling if not a bit uncomfortable, but the personal perspectives of the director are subtle and restrained. I fully enjoyed the ride, although it did start to slow down a little bit toward the end.

Where the film missed the mark is in the absence of critical information to the development of the story. For example, Bush's campaign for governor of Texas breezed through the process without a hint of how he found himself in the position. Likewise, with flashes back and forward from his prolongued adolescence to the aftermath of 9/11, there is no time spent dealing with the event that polarized our country forever. Additionally, for a man who has difficulty holding down a job, how exactly does he find himself as the owner of a major league baseball team? The business sense he gained from Harvard's business school should have been more than mentioned in passing, as that accomplishment alone warrants some attention.

We, as viewers do achieve a sense of the motivation and political influence of the prestigious Bush name, and to Stone's credit, it is quite well done. The acclaim belongs to the players though.

A very interesting story; it makes you think about the changes in the political world over the past 20 years, and that although many things have changed for the better or worse, the old school wealthy grey-haired Ivy league politicians still rule undisputably. Worth seeing whether you are a supporter or not. 7/10.