Review of W. (2008) by Hatem A — 09 Sep 2010

This is perhaps the antitheses to Nixon. Although it shares a lot in common with its predecessor (parental issues, an inadequate but determined protagonist, a wicked ensemble and a fractured narrative) it's almost a parody. A comparison might be Beat the Devil, which was Huston's jab at The Maltese Falcon. I was initially put off by W. when I first saw it - it felt like the debut film of an unsure director, rather than the 18th feature of a seasoned Academy Award recipient. I don't feel the same way now and while I think the success of the film is certainly arguable, I think it's very enjoyable, and quite amusing at times.

Brolin is the rock that the entire thing is built on and he hits it out of the park. Thandie Newton is kinda hilarious as Condoleezza Rice. The same goes for Scott Glenn as Donald Rumsfeld. Jeffrey Wright's Colin Powell is very clearly Weiser and Stone's saint in all this, but even he's not off the hook. The cinematography and music leave quite a bit to be desired, especially when Stone's previous collaborators are taken into account, but that doesn't particularly damage the film. I think it will be looked on more favourably in later years.