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Bulworth
1998 108 min United States of America R 16+
★7.1
Comedy, Drama, Crime, Thriller, Romance
Director: Warren Beatty
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
A suicidally disillusioned liberal politician puts a contract out on himself and takes the opportunity to be bluntly honest with his voters by affecting the rhythms and speech of hip-hop music and culture.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$26.53M
Worldwide:
$29.2M
Starring
Warren Beatty
Actor
Halle Berry
Actor
Kimberly Deauna Adams
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1999
— Best Screenplay
Golden Globe 1999
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1999
— Best Screenplay
Venice Film Festival 1998
— Golden Lion
Golden Globe 1999
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Key opinion
Bulworth is a highly polarizing political satire that daringly blends dark comedy with drama, though its execution frequently leaves critics divided. While some praise its original premise and ambitious critique of the establishment, others find the film's execution uneven, particularly regarding its portrayal of race and its erratic tonal shifts.
| Originality | The film utilizes a highly original and unconventional narrative premise that centers on a suicidal senator using rap and honesty to dismantle the political status quo. | |
| Score | The soundtrack features an energetic and impactful selection of hip-hop tracks that define the film's auditory atmosphere. | |
| Culture | The film’s portrayal of race and the senator's attempts to connect with the Black community are criticized as condescending, offensive, or reliant on problematic stereotypes. | |
| Screenplay | The blend of genres is inconsistent, with viewers disagreeing on whether the abrupt shifts between political satire, thriller, and romance create a bold stylistic statement or dilute the narrative focus. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Warren Beatty’s lead performance vary, with some viewers finding his transformation into the rapping senator compelling and others viewing it as an awkward or unconvincing performance. |