Director Oliver Stone talks about why he made "W."

Director Oliver Stone spoke to a star-studded audience last night at a special screening of "W.," his controversial and much-anticipated biopic of President George W. Bush.   

Before the screening in West Los Angeles, Stone spoke to the glitterati about the journalistic sources for the film's story and why he felt compelled to make this film. In the audience were the film's star, Josh Brolin, his father, James Brolin, and stepmom Barbra Streisand, as well as Richard Dreyfuss, Al Pacino, Noah Wyie, Jodie Foster, James Woods, Paul Haggis, Sid Ganis, Brett Ratner, Bill Maher, Ellen Barkin, Casey Affleck, Ed Zwick, James Mangold and Maria Bello.

"First, let me tell you that this is based on a true story, despite what many of you may believe," Stone said. "We did a lot of research to bring to light some of that murky stuff that has taken a long time to come out. In that vein, I have to thank all the investigative journalists, the dozen or so that really broke the ice, including Bob Woodward, David Corn, Michael Isikoff, Ron Suskind, Jane Mayer, Barton Gelman, Frank Rich. So many of them worked very hard, and that raw body of work was the basis from which to simplify and condense into our movie."

As well as dramatizing the agenda behind the Iraq war, and why no WMD were ever found, Stone's film deals with the complex rivalry between George W. Bush and his disapproving father, former President George H.W. Bush.

It also portrays W.'s wild, unfocused youth, his failures and ambitions, and his conversion to 'born again' Christianity, a move that ultimately helped get him elected as governor of Texas and later, as POTUS.

Dreyfuss is chilling as VP Dick Cheney, while Thandie Newton is transformed into a gawky, glowering Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. As W., Brolin gives an astonishing, layered and -- many attendees suggested -- Oscar-worthy performance.

But even Stone admits that there's much more about George W. Bush to be learned.

"I think there’s more to come out, but I think there’s enough here to start," Stone said. "And in that vein, I have to ask, we had to ask ourselves why we made this movie. That question leads to where we are as a country and where are we going. And a large part of the answer lies here, in the character of George W. Bush."

At the post-cocktail party, Stone, Dreyfus and Brolin were congratulated and thanked for making a film that was called "astonishing" and "terrifying."

"One of the most frightening films I have ever seen," said one film producer.

The timing for Stone's film could not be better, as we face yet another presidential election in which religious beliefs will again play a heightened role in deciding who ultimately runs this country.

As one party-goer noted, "The problem with 'W.' is that the people who really need to see this film probably won't. "

What do you think about Oliver Stone's "W?" Based on what you're heard or read, will you go see it? And if not, why not?

Photo: "W." star Josh Brolin and director Oliver Stone
WireImage

Comments

[tomk]

Yes, I plan to see Oliver Stone's biopic of George W. Bush. At one of the most crucial times in our nation's history, we have one candidate (John McCain) claiming it no longer matters why we got into the Iraq War. John McCain wants the American people to forget they were lied to, in effect, he wants to carry on the policies of George W. Bush. One might assume that the former POW might have qualms about Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo, and thanks to Extraordinary Rendition other secret locations, but John McCain has shown such a propensity for flip-flopping that turning his back on his principles, what little may be left of them, is not out of the question.

[sab711]

To give any credibility to this film as a 'True Story', is an insult to the American's intelligence. He is using his talents to promote the liberal agenda and the extreme liberal cast just proves my point. How much did he get from Obama's campaign to do this film?

[sosaipan]

I'll definitely watch it, but Stone's also definitely in the 'grain of salt' category.

He's not above playing fast and loose with the facts.

[cmunkeez]

I would never give one cent to see an Oliver Stone movie. I know him too well. You have never met a bigger ass in the whole world. A drunken, violent, vulger hair-plugged of a man...pathetic.

[Lou R]

There was a time when I was surprised by the strong fearful and hateful reactions Republicans had to information about their kind. No more, as I have come to recognize this is a part of their nature. Maybe someday objectivity and maturity will drive their awareness.

[KayoFrisco]

I want to see an Oliver Stone film about W, but not now. I have Bush fatigue. I think he should have given more time for W to leave office. A better nuanced film would have resulted with historical perspective. My hunch is that in the future this film will seem dated and incomplete.
I am a Democrat, never voted for Bush and will vote for Obama.

[Richard Ray Harris]

From watching just the previews I'm not sure yet if this film will portray Bush as the clown prince that you see in the ads or if we will see that long practiced Bush family contrivance..the facade of down-homeness which conceals an elite contempt towards ordinary Americans. I liked JFK so I'm hoping it will get into the political liasons as well. If not in this film, I hope future generations will know how and why the Harken Energy Company of Texas had Saudi partners.

[Louexis]

I wish this Bio of "w" did not come out before the election, Nov 4. I feel the nature of the movie might influence the election. I think the election should go forward on it's own merits

[Michael]

I have seen the preview for this film, & it looked great. I intend to see it with a friend on opening day. A film like this is not intended to replace an audiences need to research & learn things, rather, I expect it to be entertaining. I find it sad that some are condemning it out of hand. These are sorry individuals.

[Jim Crist]

Too bad this movie didn't come out four years ago. We could've saved thousands of lives and trillions of dollars...

[Humma Fubars]

Oliver Stone's "W" is a rather kind portrait of George W. Bush as simply "clueless" and "out of his league" in his Oedipal battle with his father George Prescott Bush, rather than an indictment of a grandiose team of co-conspirators in the White House. One might get the impression that Stone's intent is to underplay the possibilities by presenting evidence-based characturization, leaving the viewer to use his or her own powers of insight and imagination to fill in the blanks. Although many reviewers in other venues have criticized the film for not going far enough, I wonder if Stone is gambling that most Americans think they "know" more about President Bush's motives than the film portrays. It may, indeed, be a gamble, for many Americans might say that they "know" more about the motives of his handlers than is actually portrayed, and that is all they need to know. One important question is whether enough Americans can understand that, in American Presidential elections, it is the Party that is running for office, not the man (or woman). None can succeed without the enormous support of the Party. And it would be impossible for any President to remain in office while bucking his Party, no matter how it may appear. Most insiders would say that American Presidents are inspirational personalities who need to appeal to their Party's bases in order to continue to stay under the good graces of, and be guided by, the men behind the Man. Many of us outsiders wish it were different but are willing to face the reality if necessary and do our best for real change. As for how history will remember President Bush, most insiders seem to think that will depend upon which historians you read. In any event, some of us long for the fantasy of a United rather than a Divided States of America to become a reality. If our next President can inspire and behave as a uniter, we may have a chance at some rehabilitation. To paraphrase Bob Dylan at the end of the film, "There will be no more war, if God is on our side.