W. (DVD, 2009, Full Screen Version)

If you enjoyed father, James Brolin, impersonating ex-President Ronald Reagan,
then, it's quite likely you'll love Josh Brolin's personification of ex-Pres. Geo. W. Bush.

Leftist critics attacked director Oliver Stone for missing an opportunity to expose the most corrupt US presidency in the history of the United States. Released 6 weeks before the election of the 1st African American President, Barack Obama, viewing "W." with hindsight reveals why Dubya became the most mobilizing force for the Democratic party, & in modern US history, the most hated President. Contrasting Dubya's inauguration with Obama's: Dubya could barely step outside of his limo to walk the parade route to the viewing stand as the irate public outcried against him & all he stood for. Obama's welcome to the White House is worldwide!

Rightists were armed & loaded for bear to go after Stone for depicting a Republican President unsympathetically. However, Stone fooled all critics by conveying the well-known truths about the person, not his Presidency. Thus, there was a simlutaneous let down from both political camps.

Josh Brolin delivers what should've been an Oscar-nominated performance of Dubya as a buffoon, lacking in social graces like table manners, abilities to communicate truthfully with the world & an instigator of socially violent chaos at nearly every aspect of society.

After viewing the real Dubya giving a farewell speech from the White House, Stone's story of Dubya's greatest feats in flashbacks nails the narcissitic persona that remained so far out of touch with reality that Dubya couldn't see the 'forest of his errors' for the trees. As the hated President reflected on the "achievements" of his adminstration, jaws dropped to carpets in disbelief. Did anyone on the planet believe a word Dubya uttered? That Dubya believed himself spoke volumes.

Stone's Geo. W. Bush (Josh Brolin) is an over-privileged, bumbling character with a deceitful soul. The biopic uses a good deal of humor to highlight the a man's problems with verbal communication, absence of very common knowledge & ordinary intellectual inquisitiveness.

Stone's insight into the Bush dynasty's main dilemma is between Bush I (H. Dubya), the father (James Cromwell) & Bush II, the son, who's desperately seeking Daddy Dubya's favor that he clearly doesn't have. This key point Stone makes turns "W." into a biopic of a man, not a presidency. If Stone's "W." was about the 43rd President, it would be a very different film.

Stone's cast is stellar, delivering sensational performances. Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney is due raves for his performace. James Cromwell as Geo. H.W. Bush in conflict with his son is one of the better on-screen psycho-dynamic embattlements. Ellen Burstyn as Barbara Bush seems genuine. Jeffery Wright as Colin Powell gives a heartening impersonation of a humiliated General. Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush is a dutiful & loyal wife who keeps smiling throughout the rest of the world's traumas.

Brolin, as the lead actor, cunningly nails his character as a man who'd do anything to gain power. Brolin finds the balance of portraying Dubya as W. played himself: as an innocent man who never apologized or accepted responsiblity. Typical of an alcholic persona, whether dry or drunk with booze or power, there is no such thing as admitting accountablity. It's brilliant how the film aptly depicts this aspect of the man its title & lead actor reflects~