W.

Director: Oliver Stone
Cast: Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Elizabeth Banks, Toby Jones and Richard Dreyfuss
DVD release: 8 July 2009
Rated: M

Will the real George W. please stand up

Controversial film director Oliver Stone has sometimes challenged the official version of history, and his previous portraits of American presidents have not always been flattering. So it’s a surprise to find Stone’s latest film on George W. Bush, if not fully endorsing him, is at least sympathetic to the man who by the end of his term was one of the most unpopular US presidents ever.

It commences in the Oval Office where the President Bush (Josh Brolin) meets with his advisors soon after 9/11. The confused discussion gets around to the use of the phrase “Axis of Evil”. Then in fragmented flashbacks we learn about Bush’s early life. Starting as a callow student at Yale, and later with a drinking problem, the tearaway Bush is unable to hold down a job. He's “a devil in a white hat”. He goes into politics largely to impress his aloof domineering father George Bush Sr (James Cromwell) who prefers to idolize brother Jeb who's running for Governor of Florida; constantly telling young George “You deeply disappoint me Junior”.

We are taken through his born-again phase, his abstinence from alcohol, meeting and later marrying Laura Lane Welch (Elizabeth Banks). In the end, Bush comes out as an intellectual lightweight in a position of power due to his family connections and the clever scheming of Karl Rove (Toby Jones). He's God-fearing but easily manipulated by the unscrupulous; as when Bush signs the approval of simulated drowning and other interrogation techniques after being assured it doesn’t quality as torture. “Reminds me of my fraternity days,” he chuckles. Then it's on to the war in Iraq and the missing weapons of mass destruction.

Perhaps Stone’s often lightly amusing picture of Bush makes him a little too dim-witted, as you suspect he was shrewder than this portrait suggests. Missing are some of the more telling moments of his career, as when he was informed of the 9/11 attacks. Bush surrounds himself with wheeler-dealers like Karl Rove or war enthusiasts like Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, all smart operators and the true power behind the throne. George W is plagued by faulty intelligence and loaded advice in dire situations, so even Bush Sr is finally embarrassed by his son’s mistakes in Iraq.

What’s remarkable is Josh Brolin’s resemblance of the president. It’s so uncanny that you have to wonder if it’s not the actor appearing in some the news clips. Brolin (No Country for Old Men) truly brings out Bush’s character in speech and mannerisms. An impeccable performance. Also in the impersonation stakes is Richard Dreyfus (Mr. Holland’s Opus) memorable as the formidable Dick Cheney, Thandie Newton (Rocknrolla) a rather kowtowing Condoleezza Rice, Jeffery Wright as Colin Powell the one dissident voice against the war but succumbing in the end. Toby Jones (Frost/Nixon) is effective as conniving Karl Rove. Less resembling the real characters but equally convincing are a steely James Cromwell as George Bush senior, and Scott Glenn as wily Donald Rumsfeld.

Oliver Stone (World Trade Center) directs from the screenplay by Stanley Weiser without some of his early excesses. It’s a competent film with effective use of extreme closeups and strong images, though occasionally scratchy with a less than steady camera and soft focus on wide shots. An appropriate music score includes amusing counterpoint of old pop songs especially “Robin Hood”.

No matter what your views on George W. Bush, his life and times according to Oliver Stone is fascinating viewing. It’s doubtful however that W. ever really gets to the truth of the man, while it creates as many questions as it answers. However it’s thought-provoking and finally leaves a touch of pity for a naive person driving himself to a high position in which he was sadly inept. W. like the movie Frost/Nixon, gives you grounds for concern about these powerful characters who run the world and particularly the shady people behind them.

John Bale

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