W.

Plot: Oliver Stone's biographical take on the life of George W. Bush, chronicling from 1967 to his days in college, to his military service, to his governorship of Texas, leading to his 2000 candidacy for president, his first four years, and his 2004 re-election campaign.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVu8dK3MZ4o

Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py_xw5ykRC0

Starring: Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (Milk), Colin Hanks ("The Good Guys"), Toby Jones ("Agatha Christie: Poirot"), Dennis Boutsikaris ("House M.D."), Emmy winner Jeffrey Wright ("Angels in America"), Thandie Newton (2012), Scott Glenn ("The American Experience"), Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss (The Goodbye Girl), Bruce McGill ("Rizzolie & Isles"), Jesse Bradford (Flags of Our Fathers), Oscar nominee James Cromwell (Babe), Marley Shelton (The Perfect Getaway), Michael Gaston (Inception), Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn (Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore), Jason Ritter ("Parenthood"), 4X Emmy nominee Noah Wyle ("ER"), Elizabeth Banks ("30 Rock"), Rob Corddry ("Children's Hospital"), Ioan Gruffudd ("Family Guy": The Splendid Source).

Written by: WGA award winner Stanley Weiser (Freedom Song (TV) & Wall Street)

Directed by: 3X Oscar winner Oliver Stone (Born on the Fourth of July & South of the Border)

Review: Oliver Stone's biopics are never historical time lines; rather they are character studies about that person. Character studies are basically psychological evaluations that are left up to the filmmaker’s interpretation. That's how you have to look at all of his biopics, including W. This works for his other films. The problem with W. is that it's too soon for a biopic. You have to have the perspective that comes with time in order to create a character study. Otherwise you are left with a character study based on rumors and speculations rather than facts. Not enough of that information is available because the movie Bush wasn't even out of office when the movie was released. If you look at it like a work of fiction, it still doesn't work. There are times when the characters feel like caricatures based on SNL skits. Brolin and Banks are the only exceptions, and even Brolin has his moments of cartoonishness. The movie teeters into satire territory marked by a use of over the top patriotic music. Other times, typically the flashbacks, is where it feels like a serious drama about the burdens of being a legacy. Make up your mind Mr. Stone. There were times of brilliance such as the scene of the April 13, 2004 presidential address that is almost identical to the actual address(watch my reel to real clip at the top) but no perspective, thin caricatures, and flip-flopping genre styles makes this movie never seem real. Interesting premise that would've worked had it been made in 15 years. Better option: The Doors.

Fun Facts: 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. Robert Duvall is rumored to have been considered for the role of Dick Cheney. Christian Bale was initially cast as George W. Bush. However, he withdrew from the production at the last minute. 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. According to James Cromwell (who plays George HW Bush'), 'Oliver Stone (I) originally offered the role to Warren Beatty and Harrison Ford. Oliver Stone's son Sean Stone makes an appearance as one of the college boys. A cut scene featured Michael Shannon as Arthur Blessitt, who first converted Bush to Christianity. Filmed in only 46 days. Filming during the middle of Summer in Louisiana meant that elaborate prosthetic makeup could not be used, due to fears the humidity would melt the actors' faces. During the scene in which Bush is seen flying a naval jet on board the Aircraft Carrier, the show that broadcasts his incident is a political commentary program titled "Spin-Ball" which received both a Conservative and Liberal prospective. The show is actually a 'spoof' of the two highly rated and well known political commentary programs, "The O'Reilly Factor" (1996) on Fox News (hosted by Bill O'Reilly, known for his 'No Spin Zone" which broadcasts a more conservative viewpoint); and MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" (1997), which demonstrates a more liberal viewpoint. Admiral Deborah Loewer, who was on President Bush's detail the morning of 9/11, was the film's technical advisor. As a former Marine, Scott Glenn is the only actor playing a member of the Bush administration who has actual military experience. Oliver Stone and George W. Bush were both in Yale's class of 1968, though Stone dropped out after one year and went to Vietnam instead of graduating, while Bush graduated with his class.

Rating:

Writing-C

Acting-C-would be an F if not for a few performances

Directing-B-technically well-directed

Music-D

Cinematography-B

Editing-C

Costumes-B

Art Direction-A

Hair-A

Makeup-A

Visual Effects-B

*1/2 Stars-for a few of the performances, nice technical direction, and a few brilliant scenes. The rest was just bad.