Review of W. (2008) by Robin O — 17 Nov 2009

Oliver Stone's irreverent and slightly satirical approach to this public figure, that has led countless European,American and Middle Eastern peoples to their deaths, could be seen as a slight on his actions or their lives.

However, I think it spoke to something more visceral. I think that it spoke to Bush's idiotic sapience that kept him straddling the middle of the pack in his personal struggle with filial achievements and a world stage more complex than he was willing or had the patience to accept.

Finding himself falling prey to the whispering voices of disarming influence in Karl Rove and Dick Cheney his use of flawed christian apologetics as political scapegoat saw his Presidency forever associated with the fall of the American Empire.

An incredibly engaging and empathic performance by Brolin created a central character that breaks your heart. The scene of Bush leading key members of his administration off the beaten track, finding themselves lost on their Commander's own land, was emblematic of awhole decade of mismanagement.

Stone has once again put his stamp on history and, though sometimes with a heavy hand, I think it will be an interesting and revealing colourisation to a time in history that had to be explored with the eyes of the present before nostalgia created an unfair or over emotional characterisation.