Although Oliver Stone announced that W. would be a movie for both George W. Bush supporters and detractors, it’s difficult to imagine someone who actually likes the guy enjoying this film. In lieu of nuance, screenwriter Stanley Weiser offers sweeping, blunt rationalisations for Bush’s personality and political policies. Chief among these is a never ending struggle for recognition from his father, which might be an interesting enough insight if Stone didn’t treat it as some sort of magical key to understanding everything George W. Bush has ever done.

 

Despite the overly simplistic script, performances are all quite solid. Josh Brolin is captivating as W, capturing not just the voice and speech patterns but the essence of Bush. Brolin plays him not as a character or a Saturday Night Live style imitation but with real pathos. Some of the characterisations are misses – Thandie Newton and Jeffrey Wright just appear to be putting on silly voices as Condoleezza and Powell – but it’s all forgiven with Toby Jones’ Karl Rove, probably the biggest creepshow to appear on screen in history. - Owen