|
| Movie Review: W Alternate Title: Daddy Dearest
Story: This film is as disappointing
as the Bush Presidency. DirectorOliver Stone normally
makes films that have clear points of view. This rushed to the screen
effort left me cold. I could have handled any vision that the writer,
Stanley Weiser and director Stone threw at me but there
simply was no there ---there. The film covers the first term of 'W's Presidency
with the curious deletion of 2000 and 2001. Intermittent flashbacks
to the youthful, directionless George, before he saw the light and got
the call, are silly and downright fluffy. The run up to the War in Iraq
is filled with fictitious conversations sandwiched between recent history's
knowable facts. Through all of the cinematic hogwash we get to
see the relationship between 'W' and his father. Or should I say lack
of a relationship. What I took away form this film was the fact that
if 'W' had taken some time to get himself to a therapists' couch we
all could have saved ourselves a lot of aggravation, lives and money. This film needed an exit strategy. Stay away. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weELpc3pYMs Acting: Josh Brolin as 'W' does an adequate job but
I simply did not care. Elizabeth Banks as Laura, had
some interesting screen time at first but faded into the walls. Ellen
Burstyn as Barbara Bush, gave a very flattering portrait and
I would imagine if the real Barbara saw this film she would like her
portrayal best. James Cromwell as George H. W. Bush,
was by far, the best. Richard Dreyfuss was a very scary
Dick Cheney. Scott Glenn as Donald Rumsfeld, did not
work for me at all. Toby Jones as Karl Rove, caught
the essence of Bush' Brain. Stacy Keach as the Reverend
Earle Hudd, did a fine job. Bruce McGill as George
Tenet, was believableThandie Newton as Condoleezza
Rice, looked like she was doing a cartoon version of the woman and Jeffrey
Wright as Colin Powell, was fine as the voice of reason that
eventually was snuffed out. Trivia: Oliver Stone was in the same class as George
W Bush at Yale but dropped out and went to fight in Vietnam. For his
actions in the war, he was awarded a Bronze Star for Gallantry and a
Purple Heart. Josh Brolin is the son of actor James Brolin and his mother-in-law
is Barbra Streisand. Elizabeth Banks converted to Judaism after marrying
husband Max Handelman in 2003.
Predilection: I like Oliver Stone films.
Critters: The Bush dogs.
Food: Lots of BBQ's and the infamous choking pretzels.
Sex Spectrum: Puhleeze.
Blatant Product Placement: Odools beer (or non-beer).
Soundtrack: An odd choice of tracks throughout.
Opening Titles: Black background with white type.
Theater Audience: Crowded for a weekday afternoon.
There was one annoying guy who thought the film was hilarious. He was
the only one laughing.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: The Bush Presidency makes me squirm.
Drift Factor: I started to look at my watch after
only 35 minutes.
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Neither
Length: A bit over two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 3
|