Oliver Stone's W.: A Film Review of Bush Movie
Josh Brolin Stars in George W. Bush Biopic by Maker of JFK, Platoon
Oct 20, 2008
It should come as no surprise that George W. is just a normal person, but as the chief executive of the most powerful country in the world, average citizens have come to expect super-human qualities from their leader.
An Oliver Stone Movie
Director Oliver Stone’s new movie paints a picture of a lazy individual, given everything for free, more concerned with where the evening’s party is than cementing his name within his family’s legacy. If the movie is even a little accurate, Bush jr. is an arrogant, ignorant Texan, better suited as a campaign manager than leader of his own political career.
The movie shows a son, a student, a frat boy and a family man who barely stands on his own two feet for most of his life, constantly seeking the help of a perennially disappointed “poppy” Bush. “W” wouldn’t keep the jobs his father got him, he was an average student, and his rampant alcoholism brought constant shame on his parents.
The Life of George W. Bush
Bush is depicted as a spoiled brat, attending Yale and Harvard based on the political clout of his father and being slain in his first ever political debate. Jr’s rise to the level of the political elite is chronicled not as an epic journey, but a disorganized affair, characterized by his great people skills and lack of worldly experience.
Bush Jr. was never intended to be a world leader; instead he was supposed to lie in the shadow of the greatness that is his father and younger brother’s political leadership.
Oliver Stone’s new movie invokes a terrible image of who and what the American president is, but at the same time viewers are lead to empathize with the more human aspects of Bush’s character. Any person who has felt like a disappointment, or who has struggled with addiction will feel for him. Any person who has dealt with intense personal conflicts and tried repeatedly to succeed, often to no avail will also be able to relate to “W”.
The Redeeming Qualities of Bush
In contrast to all the negative qualities of “Jr.” the movie points to, it also shows the caring side of the president and a man of conviction. Perhaps there were ruthless influences that surrounded him, but ultimately the man who chose to invade Iraq did so out of genuine conviction that he was chosen by God to protect the American people and spread the ideals of freedom and democracy throughout the world.
At one point during the film, George Jr. is asked what he feels his place will be in history. If the movie was attempting to answer this question, it was destined not to succeed, as “W”’s legacy has yet to be secured. The movie is an open tale which ends abruptly and allows viewers to draw their own conclusions.
“W.” may not be director Stone’s greatest achievement; however the movie is quite solid and worth seeing. Stone attempts to have the audience understand and relate to the man and myth that is George W. Bush. He tells the story of someone ordinary who has been put in extraordinary circumstances. Maybe this is what makes the tale important; the general public needs to be informed just how average the 42nd American President is.
