Stone miscalculates by wanting to talk about George W. Bush just as he has become the lamest of lame ducks.
Comment
11/12/08
Rate this Movie 
W. (2008)
57 %
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work
Reviews Counted: 178
Fresh: 102
Rotten:76
Average Rating: 6/10
Consensus: A surprisingly sympathetic portrayal of the 43rd American president, W. is fascinating in spots, but merely rudimentary as a whole.
Theatrical Release: Oct 17, 2008 Wide
Box Office: $25,134,292
Synopsis: Whether you love him or hate him, there is no question that George W. Bush is one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory. In an unprecedented undertaking, acclaimed director Oliver Stone is bringing the life of our 43rd... [More]
Starring: Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Banks
Director: Oliver Stone
Reviews for W.
... while not the ideological lambasting many probably expected, it's nonetheless not a portrait the subject himself would find flattering.
11/12/08
Like the worst of Stone's movies, W. feels bloated, sloppy, and overambitious.
11/11/08
Top Critic Manages to paint Jr. as an Oedipal retard unable to shake the disapproval of Papa Bush.
11/09/08
Stone has made a humble, respectful, interesting movie about a man 71% of us can't wait to see the back of. Brolin is simply incredible.
11/09/08
Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) gives a brilliant performance as George W. Bush, who was so far over his head that one almost felt sorry for him at times.
11/07/08
Stone has crafted a biopic that has too much bite in some places and not enough in others, creating an engaging portrait of Bush that's more satisfying than the actual man's presidency but less damning than many will suggest that he deserves.
11/07/08
Disappointing. Stone whipped this out in time for the US Presidential election, but it’s hard to see how it’ll make any significant impact on voters. Or why it even should.
11/07/08
‘W.’ is neither coruscating nor edifying – but without the benefit of hindsight, it’s probably the best we can hope for.
11/07/08
Stone's best film in years and one of the decade's great political pictures.
11/07/08
While W. lacks the forensic rigour of recent documentaries dealing with Bush’s legacy and recent history, it’s a thumpingly entertaining ride.
11/07/08
This movie is one big pulled punch. Dubya himself becomes a blank hole of neutrality and balance. Almost anyone else shown here would have made a more interesting subject for a biopic.
11/07/08
As the title character who is in almost every scene, Josh Brolin has done his homework well and offers a convincing interpretation of George W, effectively capturing his mannerisms and style of speech.
11/07/08
Released in the same week as the election of Barack Obama, it already has the feel of a period piece as opposed to a dynamic critique of a political force to be reckoned with.
11/07/08
In being non-partisan, Stone misses the chance to say anything truly pointed or pertinent; W. encroaches on TV-movie territory, with production values to match.
11/07/08
But is this an illuminating portrait of George W. Bush, or a searching examination of the Republican failures which led to the election of Barack Obama? It is, undeniably, not.
11/07/08
But the biggest problem with W. is that Stone, in an apparent effort to be even handed, seems afraid to touch on controversy and, instead, is content to give us a non-judgmental movie that says very little.
11/07/08
And there will be no big awards for the film or the director because ultimately W does not convincingly achieve its main aim of explaining the big question: Why did he go to war?
11/07/08
Oliver Stone’s W – his best film since Nixon and proof that love-hate portraiture inspires him to a higher artistry than liberal polemicising.
11/07/08
Latest News for W.
November 14, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Is Zack And Miri Make A Porno On The Money (Shot)? Is Max Payne Maxing Or Taxing?
This week in the UK cinema screens we have Kevin Smith's latest, the intuitively titled Zack And Miri Make A Porno. Marky Mark Wahlberg stars in the video game adaptation Max... More...
November 07, 2008:
Video Exclusive: Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Banks on W.
RT sits down with Josh Brolin and his on-screen First Lady Elizabeth Banks to learn more about W., find out what it's like to play a world leader and what Banks thinks of... More...
November 07, 2008:
UK Critics Consensus: Was W. Wicked? Is Pride & Glory Proud and Glorious?
This week in the UK cinemas we have Oliver Stones latest presidential dissection, the George W. Bush biopic W. with Josh Brolin in the title role. Also out is Pride & Glory, a... More...
October 21, 2008:
A damning biography magnifying the worst traits of the president with the lowest approval rating in history. 
More...
Related Forums for W.
(2008/Rated PG-13)-Oliver Stone's "W." -Personal triumph or lionization of an idiot??
by: Darko, Donnie 11/3
by: Darko, Donnie 11/3
cant trust the tomatoer/won't see this
by: johnnyappels 10/26
by: johnnyappels 10/26
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Gross |
|---|---|---|
 66% |
Quantum of Solace | $67.5M |
 59% |
Madagascar: Escape 2 A… | $35.0M |
| 75% |
Role Models | $11.2M |
| 67% |
High School Musical 3:… | $5.7M |
| 56% |
Changeling | $4.3M |
| 64% |
Zack and Miri Make a P… | $3.1M |
| 44% |
Soul Men | $2.4M |
| 58% |
Secret Life of Bees | $2.3M |
| 12% |
Saw V | $1.8M |
| 41% |
Beverly Hills Chihuahua | $1.6M |
