Oh Oliver Stone let me count the ways you upset me. Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, Alexander; the list is endless. Of course there are a few bright points on his resume – no wait there are only two, Platoon and Nixon. I suppose even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.
Alas, the focus of our review today shall not rise to the level The Women, but neither does it sink to the depths of The Hulk. It is mediocre at best. That is not to say, though, that it was a complete disaster. The film did have some redeeming qualities, namely the subject, Dubbya. This might be a good point to tell you dear readers that I might be a little biased when it comes to our President; and by a little I mean a lot. My government teacher in high school told me that I made Barry Goldwater look pink and I have never looked back. Bush is the man, plain and simple. If I may make a quick Dark Knight reference, Number 43 may not be the hero we want, but he is the hero we need.
That said, let us turn our attention to the movie itself. As you probably guessed from the title of the movie, it is about George W. Bush. In typical Oliver Stone fashion, it alternates between flashback of Bush’s youth and his present life. Stone made great use of this style in Nixon. In that 1995 masterpiece, Stone effectively tells the story surrounding Nixon’s youth as it shaped his future political psyche.
Ollie tried to do the same in W, but failed miserably. The audience is left with what looks like one of my old 1L writing assignments, rushed, done the night before and full of mistakes. Dubbya was a drinker, Dubbya saw the light, Dubbya became President and his daddy thought it should have been his younger brother. Really? That was the best story Stone could tell? Oh wait, let’s not forget the war in Iraq. Ollie almost forgot about it, realized that he almost forgot about it and then made the last half of the movie a documentary on the war. It is just not his best work.
The casting in Nixon was far superior as well. Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Bob Hoskins, James Woods – awesome. And the cast of W: Josh Brolin…er..umm…oh yeah, James Cromwell (that’ll do pig) and Richard Dreyfess. That guy hasn’t made a good movie since What About Bob. Yes, they all seemed to look like the real people and they all had the right mannerisms, but that’s all it was, a night at the Improv. It was like a two hour long Saturday Night Live skit without any jokes.
The one big thing this movie has going for it is audience reaction. If you hate George W. Bush you are going come away from this movie feeling the exact same way. And if you love George W. Bush, you are going to love him even more. The dialogue was also, admittedly, well done. Kudos, Ollie. You have got to love a movie that refers to Helen Thomas as an “old battle axe” and New York Times readers as “latte sippin’ liberals.” She is and they are.
Well, there you have it, W was not terrible, but it was not great. It does not make my top five greatest political flicks of all time list. What did make Sean’s list? I am glad you asked.
5. Primary Colors – A good time and an entertaining look at presidential politics.
4. Wag the Dog– Makes you wonder if our system is really that corrupt and if the media should really drive politics like it does.
3. The American President - The great precursor to the West Wing series. This movie might have made number one were it not for the ridiculous left wing diatribes and Richard Dreyfuss.
2. Nixon – It was just good. Great cast, great story and that one guy from Scrubs.
1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington – Need I say more? Jimmy Stewart, they broke the mold when they made you.
Sean is a 3L and can be reached Sean Hatfield@valpo.edu
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