← Back to results
W.
2008 129 min United States of America PG-13 18+
★6.1
Drama, History
Director: Oliver Stone
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
Description
The story of the eventful life of George W. Bush—his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith—and the critical days leading up to his decision to invade Iraq.
Budget:
$25.1M
US Gross:
$25.53M
Worldwide:
$29.51M
Starring
Josh Brolin
Actor
Elizabeth Banks
Actor
Ioan Gruffudd
Actor
Awards
1 win & 8 nominations total
Key opinion
Oliver Stone's biographical drama about George W. Bush is widely praised for Josh Brolin's compelling, nuanced performance, which anchors the film's attempt to humanize a polarizing figure. While many appreciate the director's restrained, non-propagandistic approach, critics remain divided over whether the film serves as a meaningful political study or a disjointed, superficial collection of vignettes.
| Acting | Josh Brolin anchors the film with a sincere, age-spanning performance that effectively captures the subject's vulnerability and flawed ambition. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds in avoiding overt partisan propaganda, choosing instead to portray its subject as an ordinary, complex human being rather than a simple villain or hero. | |
| Acting | The supporting cast is inconsistent, with some performances praised for their naturalistic alignment while others are criticized as stiff or caricatured. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure is divisive; supporters enjoy the intimate biographical focus, while detractors find the fragmented, non-linear approach to be disjointed and lacking in investigative insight. | |
| Direction | Opinion on Oliver Stone's directorial style is split: some value the departure from his usual aggressive political agitprop, whereas others find the film lacks the sharp, revolutionary energy expected from his work. |