W.

           I was really really surprised by the soft touch that this potentially biting biography piece has with the life of one of the most controversial presidential regimes of the last century. Oliver Stone (World Trade Center) has taken a much quiter tone in his recent films compared to his wilder earlier films. Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) portrays the titular George Walker Bush, the 43^rd president of the US, and the author of such famous terms as “axis of evil” and “strategery”.

            This film depicts his path through Yale, growing up in the shadow of George Bush Sr. and a series of screw ups which were covered by his father. Eventually, the man finds his way into politics after landing a wonderful wife and a dream job. His life really took on such strength after he stopped dirnking and came to faith.

            His presidential work was marred by many screw ups, and if anything this movie reviles Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfus, Jaws) while totally exonerating Colin Powell and really turning Condoleezza Rice (Tandy Newton, RocknRolla) into a mere puppet and yes-woman.

            I’d say this is a must watch for all citizens of the 21^st century, and I look forward to more from Stone, who’s new style has brought back some of his old school fire in a very post-modern packaging which is an easy 2.