Review of Bulworth (1998) by Alison O — 17 Sep 2004

Best in Show: Warren Beatty.

One for the future: Halle Berry.

Stand-out scene: One-on-one TV interview.

Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.

Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.

DVD commentary any good?: n/a.

TV.

Political satire at its best, I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from Warren Beatty (who directs, co-wrote and stars as the titular Senator). Senator Jay Billington Bulworth suffers a breakdown in his office whilst preparing to run for re-election in California. He takes out a grossly over-inflated life insurance policy, hires a hitman to kill him and then embarks on a straight-talking tour of his constituents. First stop - a Spiritualist church, where he decides that rapping is the best way to get his message across, a stance he retains for the rest of the joyous movie. The ensemble cast consistently does the great material justice; Halle Berry (as the object of Bulworth's affections), Don Cheadle, Oliver Platt, Laurie Metcalf, Paul Sorvino and Sean 'Samwise' Astin (as a cameraman) revelling in the opportunity to appear in a great film. The screenplay truly deserved its Oscar nomination (and should have beaten Shakespeare in Love to the statuette). Schwarzenegger's occupation of the seat in real life just adds to the hilarity generated by this movie. Priceless.