Jason KingW ($13-)
February 21st 2009 23:11
Category: No Category
W ($13-)
Oliver Stone's visual biopic splendour and humanisation of "Dubya" is brilliantly told and enthralling but should be part 1 of a 2 part series. It only covers his life up to politics and his first term. I am not into politics in anyway and just see politicos as boring people running a big company. But this film gives a humanisation to Bush while not being overly judgemental.
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 Bush’s decision to invade Iraq.
The casting of the film is flawless and Josh Brolin deserves the Oscar if he gets it. There are some scenes I was trying to work out if it was real footage of W or it was the actor himself. The mild facial latex and Brolin's study of Bush's every movement are superb. James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn are fabulous as the older Bush's and you can see the intelligence, sense of patriotism and better Bush through these two. Elizabeth Banks has a smaller role and I have no idea how she managed to come from Zack & Miri Make a Porno to this but she is supportive and thoroughly believable in her role. Richard Dreyfuss is mesmerising, and from what I have read from people that know Dick Cheney better than I do, has nailed this evil lurking character perfectly. Jeffrey Wright is awesome as Gen. Colin Powell and someone I would have liked to see as a president. I have read numerous reviews saying that Thandie Newton nailed Condoleezza Rice and her nasal drawl but to be honest I found her so character fake it was almost comedic - every time she spoke I cringed in my seat - do people in the US do this every time Rice talks?
A lot of this is based on historical fact however a lot of this film is Oliver Stone's view on things. I don't know how successful this film will be. Most people hate George W with a passion and I really wanted to see more of his goofs, not to make the film comical but to further show how much of a total idiot this guy is. Will people want to see more Bush or just want to let him fade into oblivious history? Personally, I loved it and was so engaged I never once yawned or checked my watch. The film contains a lot of symbolism that relates to W's attempt to become the baseball commisioner, it is quite poetic and very "Field of Dreams" - I found the "Build it and They Will Come" and how George always pictures himself trying to catch a ball with the final scene being a ball that is hit that George never catches - the symbolism of his entire presidency.
Trivia thanks to IMDB:
1) Josh Brolin prepared for his role as George W. Bush by telephoning hotels and talking to the people simply to hear the accent. He also watched videos of Bush to try and get the style of his walk right.
2) Robert Duvall is rumored to have been considered for the role of Dick Cheney.
3) Christian Bale was initially cast as George W. Bush, and even underwent weeks of prosthetics tests before filming began. However, he withdrew from the production at the last minute, prompting Oliver Stone to immediately look for a replacement. Josh Brolin was subsequently given the role following his notable performances in No Country for Old Men (2007) and American Gangster (2007).
4) This movie was filmed sequentially. Josh Brolin lost a considerable amount of weight to play W. in his youth and had to quickly gain it back to play him middle-aged.
5) According to James Cromwell (who plays 'George HW Bush'), Oliver Stone originally offered the role to Warren Beatty and Harrison Ford.
6) When reciting the names of the fraternity brothers during his hazing, The second and third surnames of people he names are "Hill" and "Hotchkiss." Both Oliver Stone and James Cromwell attended the Hill School, whose principal rival was Hotchkiss School.
7) Josh Brolin, who plays George W. Bush, is the son of James Brolin, who played Ronald Reagan in The Reagans (2003) (TV).
8) Oliver Stone's son Sean Stone makes an appearance as one of the college boys.
9) When W. enters the Oval Office at the end, there's a portrait of John Quincy Adams hanging above his head. Adams is the only other son of a former President to be elected President.
10) A cut scene featured Michael Shannon as Arthur Blessitt, who first converted Bush to Born-Again Christianity.
The best thing about this film is the ability for Stone to allow us to watch a human and not a stupid dick we all hate, I actually find his life interesting even though history will forever portray him as a total idiot. The end of the film is totally perfect but I did want to see at the start of the credits "To Be Continued" because there is more to this character that would make for a great film. Worth $13-. Out this Thursday 26th Feb on limited (art house) release.
Oliver Stone's visual biopic splendour and humanisation of "Dubya" is brilliantly told and enthralling but should be part 1 of a 2 part series. It only covers his life up to politics and his first term. I am not into politics in anyway and just see politicos as boring people running a big company. But this film gives a humanisation to Bush while not being overly judgemental.
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 Bush’s decision to invade Iraq.
The casting of the film is flawless and Josh Brolin deserves the Oscar if he gets it. There are some scenes I was trying to work out if it was real footage of W or it was the actor himself. The mild facial latex and Brolin's study of Bush's every movement are superb. James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn are fabulous as the older Bush's and you can see the intelligence, sense of patriotism and better Bush through these two. Elizabeth Banks has a smaller role and I have no idea how she managed to come from Zack & Miri Make a Porno to this but she is supportive and thoroughly believable in her role. Richard Dreyfuss is mesmerising, and from what I have read from people that know Dick Cheney better than I do, has nailed this evil lurking character perfectly. Jeffrey Wright is awesome as Gen. Colin Powell and someone I would have liked to see as a president. I have read numerous reviews saying that Thandie Newton nailed Condoleezza Rice and her nasal drawl but to be honest I found her so character fake it was almost comedic - every time she spoke I cringed in my seat - do people in the US do this every time Rice talks?
A lot of this is based on historical fact however a lot of this film is Oliver Stone's view on things. I don't know how successful this film will be. Most people hate George W with a passion and I really wanted to see more of his goofs, not to make the film comical but to further show how much of a total idiot this guy is. Will people want to see more Bush or just want to let him fade into oblivious history? Personally, I loved it and was so engaged I never once yawned or checked my watch. The film contains a lot of symbolism that relates to W's attempt to become the baseball commisioner, it is quite poetic and very "Field of Dreams" - I found the "Build it and They Will Come" and how George always pictures himself trying to catch a ball with the final scene being a ball that is hit that George never catches - the symbolism of his entire presidency.
Trivia thanks to IMDB:
1) Josh Brolin prepared for his role as George W. Bush by telephoning hotels and talking to the people simply to hear the accent. He also watched videos of Bush to try and get the style of his walk right.
2) Robert Duvall is rumored to have been considered for the role of Dick Cheney.
3) Christian Bale was initially cast as George W. Bush, and even underwent weeks of prosthetics tests before filming began. However, he withdrew from the production at the last minute, prompting Oliver Stone to immediately look for a replacement. Josh Brolin was subsequently given the role following his notable performances in No Country for Old Men (2007) and American Gangster (2007).
4) This movie was filmed sequentially. Josh Brolin lost a considerable amount of weight to play W. in his youth and had to quickly gain it back to play him middle-aged.
5) According to James Cromwell (who plays 'George HW Bush'), Oliver Stone originally offered the role to Warren Beatty and Harrison Ford.
6) When reciting the names of the fraternity brothers during his hazing, The second and third surnames of people he names are "Hill" and "Hotchkiss." Both Oliver Stone and James Cromwell attended the Hill School, whose principal rival was Hotchkiss School.
7) Josh Brolin, who plays George W. Bush, is the son of James Brolin, who played Ronald Reagan in The Reagans (2003) (TV).
8) Oliver Stone's son Sean Stone makes an appearance as one of the college boys.
9) When W. enters the Oval Office at the end, there's a portrait of John Quincy Adams hanging above his head. Adams is the only other son of a former President to be elected President.
10) A cut scene featured Michael Shannon as Arthur Blessitt, who first converted Bush to Born-Again Christianity.
The best thing about this film is the ability for Stone to allow us to watch a human and not a stupid dick we all hate, I actually find his life interesting even though history will forever portray him as a total idiot. The end of the film is totally perfect but I did want to see at the start of the credits "To Be Continued" because there is more to this character that would make for a great film. Worth $13-. Out this Thursday 26th Feb on limited (art house) release.
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