Review of Bulworth (1998) by Justin M — 28 May 2009

Warren Beatty's small masterpiece is an ambitious, riotous, scathing political satire for our cynical times. He finds lightning in a bottle with this story of a disillusioned senator who begins telling the truth about politics.

Beatty took on several tasks for this film, and this is some of the best writing, acting, and directing he's ever done. There's deliciously mean social commentary and a sobering ending but the film itself is never mean-spirited.

It's angry, frustrated, and verbose to be sure. Beatty never shies away from the urban edge here. There are no easy laughs, and there are moments that are bound to have you on the floor. And Beatty, as if liberated by medication or drink, gives hilarious fury to Bulworth's riffs and off-the-cuff raps on Hollywood, business corporations, insurance companies, the media, and the social ills of the balck community.

But he also gives us paranoia, grief, self-loathing, and giddy liberation. He also surrounded himself with seasoned character actors--Paul Sorvino, Halle Berry (edgy and sexy), Christine Baranski, Don Cheadle (superb), Nora Dunn, Jack Warden, and Oliver Platt (priceless on slow-burn).

The film is also terrifically lit and photographed, bringing a moddy but graceful style to the proceedings. Rarely do political satires ring with such fearlessness and anger, yet are laced with so many corrosive laughs as this one.

One of the best movies you've never heard of.