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.
Comment
11/07/08
W. (2008)
75
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:12
Fresh:9
Rotten:3
Average Rating:6.4/10
Consensus: A surprisingly sympathetic portrayal of the 43rd American president, W. is fascinating in spots, but merely rudimentary as a whole.
Theatrical Release:07-11-2008
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.
1 - 12 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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
Top CriticStone's best film in years and one of the decade's great political pictures.
11/07/08
Top CriticWhile 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
Top CriticIt has its moments, one of the finest at the conclusion.
10/18/08
Top CriticPerhaps the crucial reason W. succeeds as much as it does is the surprisingly empathetic work of Josh Brolin.
10/17/08
Top CriticW. does something most journalism and even documentaries can't or won't do: it reminds us what a long, strange trip it's been to the Bush White House.
10/17/08
Top CriticOliver Stone's W., a biography of President Bush, is fascinating. No other word for it.
10/16/08
Top CriticThe film is unable to achieve any aims higher than as a sort of engaging pop-history pageant and amateur, if not inapt, psychological evaluation, due to the unavoidable lack of perspective and a final act that has yet to be written.
10/07/08
Top CriticIt deserves a fair hearing by U.S. audiences, for Stone goes out of his way to give Bush a fair hearing.
10/07/08
Top Critic1 - 12 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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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