W.
Lionsgate | Release Date: October 17, 2008
5.2
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 109 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
41
Mixed:
31
Negative:
37
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
BenN.Dec 10, 2008
I went into this movie expecting to see a leftist bashing of Bush but that's just not what happened, it was a surprisingly fair film from Oliver Stone. It wasn't fair and balanced by any means but it was center-left perspective I went into this movie expecting to see a leftist bashing of Bush but that's just not what happened, it was a surprisingly fair film from Oliver Stone. It wasn't fair and balanced by any means but it was center-left perspective instead of the expected far-left perspective. Oliver Stone Portrays The President as an average Joe of average intellegence who constantly tried, and failed in his W's mind, to live up to his father's expectations. The most surprising thing was Stone's protrayal of Bush's decisions on Iraq, in that it was the intellegence system betraying Bush instead of Bush just trying to one up his dad as most leftists believe. Though the film doesn't protray any of Bushes successes in offic, it critiques his mistakes in a way that is fair to the man who wasn't a bad president in general, just not one of our best. A a centrist myself I see this film as a fair representation of the man an encourage everyone who believes Bush is Evil to see it to get a lesson on the truth: that he was just an under-qualified man doing the best he could. In fact the one man Stone actually portrays as evil in the film is Dick Cheney, answering Powells questions on Iraq by saying, "There is no Exit Stragety, We Stay" The Clif-Hanger style endind will ruin the movie for you but you will still enjoy it for the most part, if you keep an open mind on Bush.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
ArmondA.Oct 26, 2008
While this film doesn't offer the viewer any new information, it does assemble the pieces we have all seen before into an interesting and plausible account of the man who many consider the worst US President in a long list populated While this film doesn't offer the viewer any new information, it does assemble the pieces we have all seen before into an interesting and plausible account of the man who many consider the worst US President in a long list populated with few heroes, numerous mediocrities, and a good bunch of failures. There is something morbidly fascinating about someone who has done so badly in such high office. Stone's timing in bringing out this film has been questioned by some, but one might say that it would have been very interesting to have gotten an account of the captain of the Titanic while standing on the deck of the ship as it slipped lower and lower into the icy ocean. Adding to the dark humor are the performances of several of the supporting players. Let me single out Thandie Newton's stunning interpretation of Condoleezza Rice as a fawning, servile Aunt Jemima, and Richard Dreyfuss as a ferociously intense schemer. Like many, I don't know what, exactly, to make of this film, but it really is a thoughtful piece, and it has some very clever moments. If you're one of the 25% of the populace who still consider the real W's job performance acceptable, then you're not going to enjoy this movie. For the rest of us it's an intriguing and amusing effort by a very good craftsman.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
patrickh.Oct 14, 2008
Conflicted but entertaining.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
NickPOct 15, 2008
An interesting and somewhat fun movie. Unfortunately, it would have been more successful if it were an all out satire. More humor, and outrageousness, and less drama and exposition would have made this feel more focused. Overall the movie is An interesting and somewhat fun movie. Unfortunately, it would have been more successful if it were an all out satire. More humor, and outrageousness, and less drama and exposition would have made this feel more focused. Overall the movie is a great idea that fails to live up to its potential.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
EnriqueOct 19, 2008
This is an excellent movie with outstanding performances. The reason with certain critics and audiences hate it is obvious and their is no need to say anything else.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JoeL.Oct 19, 2008
W.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BillyS.Oct 17, 2008
Spot On Perfection!! Nobody does Presidents like Oliver Stone, can't wait for McC! A standing ovation to Josh Brolin, Richard Dreyfuss, Jeffrey Wright, Ellen Burstyn, Thandie Newton And Toby Jones. Bravo Mr. Stone!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
McBushMaverickOct 17, 2008
Eight years of Bush is not enough! Americans like me love this movie because we demand more wars, a bigger deficit, and a president as intelligent as Bush who is buying up more private sectors than a communist regime! Those who hate this film are
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
RyanBOct 17, 2008
Very interesting and compelling movie. Acting was very strong. Would like to have seen more on the story of his Presidency (Katrina etc) but nonetheless a good movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
AlexHOct 18, 2008
The reviews seem to be mixed, first of all, because lots of critics are automatically suspicious of Oliver Stone, as they have been for years. But "W" doesn't include much of the speculative ('unofficial history') material The reviews seem to be mixed, first of all, because lots of critics are automatically suspicious of Oliver Stone, as they have been for years. But "W" doesn't include much of the speculative ('unofficial history') material characteristic of "JFK" and to a lesser extent "Nixon". Secondly, everyone has their own strong opinion of Bush and what a movie about him should be like in terms of its political slant. Those in his devoted ~20% fan base won't be happy, but neither will liberals eager to see an angry hit piece. The film is a real, human drama that is both funny and tragic, and focuses primarily on the relationship between father and son. But while I'll argue that the film is generally accurate and sympathetic, I won't say it's entirely unbiased or apolitical. Two sequences seem for me to be especially relevant to the current election: W's reaction to his loss in a 1978 congressional race ('I'll never be out-Texaned or out-Christianed again') and Cheney's explanation of his real motives for invading and occupying Iraq.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JM.Oct 21, 2008
If you interested in how someone like W can get into office or just interested in the man himself, this is the movie for you. This is Oliver Stones best movie in over a decade. Nixon being the last. Josh Brolin is amazing, as is Dreyfus. The If you interested in how someone like W can get into office or just interested in the man himself, this is the movie for you. This is Oliver Stones best movie in over a decade. Nixon being the last. Josh Brolin is amazing, as is Dreyfus. The rest of the cast is way above average, EXCEPT Thandie Newton who is horribly miscast. Go see it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
StevenFMay 17, 2013
Kudos to Oliver Stone for taking on a man who was still President of the United States at the time of shooting this film, but even that aside, this is a truly compelling and often humorous telling of the pivotal moments in the life of GeorgeKudos to Oliver Stone for taking on a man who was still President of the United States at the time of shooting this film, but even that aside, this is a truly compelling and often humorous telling of the pivotal moments in the life of George Dub-ya.
W. chronicles the life of the controversial 43rd President up to the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq, we see the lead up to the decision while also jumping back to his early fraternity days while he he attended Yale, his alcohol abuse and is often strained relationship with his father, former President George H.W Bush, a man who the film portrays as being very tolerant towards his son and his lifestyle choices, but isn't particularly favourable towards him running for Governor of Texas, instead trying to focus on his other son, Jeb's campaign.
It often plays loosely with political satire and at times addresses itself in a far more serious and dramatic tone, and Josh Brolin delivers a fantastic and real portrayal of the President in question, his mannerisms, speech, body movement and even appearance are spot on.
The film hits its stride in the private meetings between Bush and his Cabinet, where the heated discussions about the eventual invasion of Iraq between VP Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss) and Secretary of State Colin Powell (Jeffrey Wright) being some the better and more intriguing scenes of the film.
Whether the film holds true or not, it was interesting to see these thrilling encounters, encounters that Bush himself seemed to sit very much on the sidelines.
The film does, however fast forward a bit too much throughout earlier days of his life, and perhaps not enough attention put on the political aspect of his career, it was a thoughtful and almost no-brainer to pick the pre-Iraq invasion as the setting of the film, but more could have been done to see the man inside the Oval office, with his stuttering, his mis-speaking and his infamous mannerisms given more time to breathe.
Certainly not one of the best biopics to date, but Stone along with the charismatic and detailed capability of Josh Brolin's acting, has given the film much to talk about when the credits roll, it tries not to take sides, instead delivering and enjoyable and often informative look at the Texan who took the White House in all sorts of directions.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
MovieGuysMar 13, 2014
With a fine performance of the man by Josh Brolin, "W." tells the story of George's harsh past and his struggles with the war, the economy, and his father. While it might not go in-depth as much as it should, it succeeds at the terms it setsWith a fine performance of the man by Josh Brolin, "W." tells the story of George's harsh past and his struggles with the war, the economy, and his father. While it might not go in-depth as much as it should, it succeeds at the terms it sets for itself.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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