W. Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: W.
Year: 2008
Director: Oliver Stone
Country: US
Language: English

George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2000-2009. If you are unaware by now, Bush is considered one of the worst presidents of all time. Just eight months into his presidency the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks occurred. Bush responded by claiming a "War on Terror" which resulted in military campaigns throughout the middle east and cost hundreds of thousands of innocent lives in the process. He also responded quite poorly to Hurricane Katrina and did not do much when faced with the Wall Street Collapse of 2008. Perhaps the US would have been better off with a broom as president. 

Oliver Stone's biographical take on the life of George W. Bush, one of the most controversial presidents in USA history, chronicling from his wild and carefree days in college, to his 2004 re-election campaign.

The Director views its topic with surprising empathy—which is surprising from the radical director often associated with conspiracy theories, anti-war themes, and harsh political criticism. He  humanizes “Dub-ya”, examining the man from a psychological perspective. Although by "humanizing" I don't mean he makes us relate to the man, rather Stone makes us pity Bush as he is depicted with as a coward with daddy issues and lifelong jealousy; essentially daddy doesn’t give Junior the attention he craves.

Oliver Stone shows the emotional, oil-hungry, and vengeance-seeking Bush unlike any other before him. We see Junior attempting to outdo his father, by finishing the gulf war through any means necessary. Those devoutly opposed to the Bush Administration will find Stone’s cynicism light and tastefully presented, even occasionally hilarious; supporters will likely find the film fair toward the President’s errors.While the man is vengeful, he isn't exactly Stalin. We see a man with problems far over his head, his inability to think too rationally has led to his downfall. 

Actual Bush quotes slipped into the film's dialogue create quite a laugh ("is our children learning?") and Josh Brolin's performance is nothing short of mesmerizing. He gets every detail in the former president's speech down to a tee and mimics his body language in a memorable fashion. I didn't believe Brolin was that good of an actor, but I do now. W. is a good one-time watch, but isn't entertaining enough for a second viewing.