W., the movie: Oliver Stone gets ready to uncork his October surprise

It isn't that director Oliver Stone is trying to influence the Nov. 4 election. Really. It's just that his biopic on George W. Bush is due to be released Oct. 17, about three weeks before voters head to the polls.

In an interview last week with the Times of London, Stone said in advance of the release that his new movie portrays President Bush as, well, a character.

It's a comedy only in the sense of tragic comedy. You laugh in your mind because Bush is a goof-ball, because he's awkward, but at the same time he has a stubbornness, a John Wayne ethos, an anger, an impatience, that make him fascinating. You may hate Wayne's politics, but you may well enjoy his company on screen.

The movie, starring Josh Brolin as George W. Bush and Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney, is "a human portrait of a man, not meant to insult people who believe in what Bush believes in," said Stone, whose earlier works on "JFK" and "Nixon" stirred controversy. Brolin, he said, portrays Bush as "charming, which I think he is." Stone also compared Bush to his father, George H.W. Bush:

I think he (W.) is a wonderful salesman, charismatic to many people and he has a politician's ability to touch and reach, which his father never had. So he did outdo his father -- as a salesman.

Stone told The Times he's not sure the public will rush to the theaters to see a movie about an unpopular president, even though he tried to walk in the president's shoes. He explained:

It's my job ... if I'm dramatizing his life ... to step above my hate.

But enough of words. Here's the latest trailer leaking out of his studios.

-- Johanna Neuman

Comments

[homeschool mom]

Really??? A movie about George Bush when the election is just 2 + weeks away and Obama' s mantra is "just another George Bush? " I am shocked!!! P.S. Tom...did you know that many geniuses are unable to spell? I was shocked to learn that too, but it is true. Check it for yourself.

[Chris Lepore]

Oliver Stone brings home the point what a bafoon w bush is.The nightmare the last 8 years have been,and without w daddys help w would have amounted to nothing more than a raging drunk !

[pinkandbluefilms]

From Indy.com

The big screen: 'W: The Movie' vs. Oliver Stone's 'W.'

by joe.shearer

Oliver Stone's "W" is not the only cinematic portrait of President George W. Bush that you can see at local theaters this week. Indianapolis-based Pink and Blue Films, along with Asylum House Productions, has filmed its own version of "W: The Movie," a surreal, cartoonish, underground take on the second Bush presidency, screening at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Earth House, 237 N. East St.

Budget and production values aside, which version is the more accurate portrayal of Dubya? That may be for history to decide, but here's a quick comparison of the films.

Plot

"W The Movie": A meteor containing an ectoplasm-encased W crashes in the Arizona desert. W, his face painted like a pro wrestler, breaks free, steals the presidency, and launches an all-out war with freedom and justice, opposed by the journalist The Blue Mahler.

Oliver Stone's "W": An affable, dunderheaded ne'er-do-well Texas blueblood ascends to the presidency in an effort to live up to his daddy's expectations and is manipulated into a cash-grab war by his advisors.

Lead actor

"W The Movie": Alfred Eaker (W and Blue Mahler).

Oliver Stone's "W": Josh Brolin (George W. Bush).

Director

"W The Movie": Alfred Eaker and Ross St. Just.

Oliver Stone's "W": Oliver Stone.

Best line

W The Movie": On 9/11, Bush asks where the Twin Towers are, then instructs his aide to "send that country a dozen roses."

Oliver Stone's "W": George H.W. Bush, on W's womanizing and drinking: "Who do you think you are ..... a Kennedy? You're a Bush. Act like one."

Best characteristic

"W The Movie": Nightmarish, provocative and imaginative.

Oliver Stone's "W": An uncharacteristically fair and level-headed portrait by a usually sensationalistic director.

Worst characteristic

"W The Movie": Drags on about 20 minutes too long; is perhaps a bit too one-sided.

Oliver Stone's "W": Drags on about 20 minutes too long; is not one-sided enough.

Best character

"W The Movie": Eaker as Blue Mahler, a free-thinker who dares to take on a tyrannical government.

Oliver Stone's "W": Jeffrey Wright as Colin Powell, the lone voice of reason in Bush's power-hungry cabinet.

Portrayal of Bush

"W The Movie": Cruel, sadistic tyrant.

Oliver Stone's "W": Principled and likable, if a bit dense

[Bayoumoose]

Dear Fran W.

Maybe you should look to other sources of information other than the McCain commercials, Fox News and Palin. Are you aware that Palin’s husband is a member of the Alaska Cessation party that is lead by an individual that wants to separate from the union, in other words make Alaska it’s own country? Palin even gave a speech to the group and in so many words said that she agreed with their cause. The “terrorist” that Obama is accused of fraternizing with, is now a college professor, yes he was a member of one of the underground groups who where opposed to the Viet Nam War when Obama was eight years old. Any group opposed to the Viet Nam War had just cause. What about McCain hanging with G. Gordon Littie? He was also know as a “terrorist”. When are you people going to stop falling in to the Rovian way of us against them and the holier than thou club!

[Mark]

Oliver could not get funding in the United States, what does that tell you? He says Hollywood doesn't want to fund a movie about a sitting President. Oh please, the truth is nobody is interested in paying $9 to see a movie that is nothing more than Oliver's personal hatred for Bush.
It will not break even, don't waste your money, it will be out on DVD in time for Christmas. Hey Oliver, where is the movie about Clinton, your buddy?, I bet that would break even but only if it exposed the real Billy Bob Clinton.

[B Davis]

I have not seen this movie, but I'd like to.

The strangest thing to me is that today a lady told me that this was the truth.
Unless someone has great new information, where in the heck did that comment come from?

Believe in yourself, God and on a good day, your mate. But folkes, it is a MOVIE, A MOVIE!!!!!

[Dumb Bob]

"Hey" out there! First-time blogger. :)

Tom - It's "through" and "classes"--learn to spell.

Dr. Dre had the most sane comment above. I'll probably see the movie on DVD (without the kids in in room) and laugh a little, but I'll probably just get more disgusted with Ollie. I'm afraid a movie about Ollie or Bill would be to graphic for me to see even without the kids.

Ollie, do you have the script for O'Bama's teen years yet? Power to the people!

[Margaret Poole]

Remember folks, W. the movie is just another example of Hollywood fiction. It is NOT FACTUAL! It simply reflects liberal bias and those who will stop at nothing to destroy conservative values in America. Shame on Stone for releasing this film while President Bush is still in office!

[anthony]

I thought it was a great movie I and I dont think george w bush is a bad person! and whoever dont agree with me i could really care less!

[aNTHONY]

There hasnt been another attack on the united state since 911 and you all call george buish THIS DEVIL!!!!!! IDIOTS