... while not the ideological lambasting many probably expected, it's nonetheless not a portrait the subject himself would find flattering.
Comment
11/12/08
W. (2008)
60
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:201
Fresh:120
Rotten:81
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: A surprisingly sympathetic portrayal of the 43rd American president, W. is fascinating in spots, but merely rudimentary as a whole.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Feb 26, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $25,517,500
Synopsis: Whether you love him or hate him, there is no question that George W. Bush is one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory. In an unprecedented undertaking, acclaimed director... [More]
Starring: Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Banks
Director: Oliver Stone
Reviews for W.
21 - 40 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Like the worst of Stone's movies, W. feels bloated, sloppy, and overambitious.
11/11/08
As Poppy Bush says, and says again,"You disappoint me, Junior."
11/10/08
Manages to paint Jr. as an Oedipal retard unable to shake the disapproval of Papa Bush.
11/09/08
Stone has made a humble, respectful, interesting movie about a man 71% of us can't wait to see the back of. Brolin is simply incredible.
11/09/08
Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) gives a brilliant performance as George W. Bush, who was so far over his head that one almost felt sorry for him at times.
11/07/08
Stone has crafted a biopic that has too much bite in some places and not enough in others, creating an engaging portrait of Bush that's more satisfying than the actual man's presidency but less damning than many will suggest that he deserves.
11/07/08
Disappointing. Stone whipped this out in time for the US Presidential election, but it’s hard to see how it’ll make any significant impact on voters. Or why it even should.
11/07/08
Top Critic‘W.’ is neither coruscating nor edifying – but without the benefit of hindsight, it’s probably the best we can hope for.
11/07/08
Stone's best film in years and one of the decade's great political pictures.
11/07/08
While W. lacks the forensic rigour of recent documentaries dealing with Bush’s legacy and recent history, it’s a thumpingly entertaining ride.
11/07/08
Top CriticThis movie is one big pulled punch. Dubya himself becomes a blank hole of neutrality and balance. Almost anyone else shown here would have made a more interesting subject for a biopic.
11/07/08
Top CriticAs the title character who is in almost every scene, Josh Brolin has done his homework well and offers a convincing interpretation of George W, effectively capturing his mannerisms and style of speech.
11/07/08
Released in the same week as the election of Barack Obama, it already has the feel of a period piece as opposed to a dynamic critique of a political force to be reckoned with.
11/07/08
In being non-partisan, Stone misses the chance to say anything truly pointed or pertinent; W. encroaches on TV-movie territory, with production values to match.
11/07/08
Top CriticBut is this an illuminating portrait of George W. Bush, or a searching examination of the Republican failures which led to the election of Barack Obama? It is, undeniably, not.
11/07/08
But the biggest problem with W. is that Stone, in an apparent effort to be even handed, seems afraid to touch on controversy and, instead, is content to give us a non-judgmental movie that says very little.
11/07/08
Top CriticAnd there will be no big awards for the film or the director because ultimately W does not convincingly achieve its main aim of explaining the big question: Why did he go to war?
11/07/08
Top CriticOliver Stone’s W – his best film since Nixon and proof that love-hate portraiture inspires him to a higher artistry than liberal polemicising.
11/07/08
Oliver Stone has a terrible sense of timing. This is a film that has been overtaken by events and already seems out of date.
11/07/08
Latest News for W.
February 09, 2009:
RT on DVD: Oliver's W, Spike's St. Anna, and My Name is Bruce!
What better way to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama by watching Oliver Stone's W. this week on DVD? While a handful of middling studio releases hit home... More...
February 08, 2009:
This Stone-d Bush is a pampered village idiot prop, with Thandie's bubbleheaded Condi stealing the show. And while W's 'just make sure you hit no camels on the ass,' is wild, the movie begs the question, who is responsible? W: The Audacity Of Honing Up. 
More...
February 01, 2009:
This Stone-d Bush is a pampered village idiot prop, with Thandie's bubbleheaded Condi stealing the show. And while W's 'just make sure you hit no camels on the ass,' is wild, the movie begs the question, who is responsible? W: The Audacity Of Honing Up.
More...
November 14, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Is Zack And Miri Make A Porno On The Money (Shot)? Is Max Payne Maxing Or Taxing?
This week in the UK cinema screens we have Kevin Smith's latest, the intuitively titled Zack And Miri Make A Porno. Marky Mark Wahlberg stars in the video game adaptation Max... More...
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