Just saw the movie "W"

Interesting movie, and, frankly, a little hard to watch. It's hard to put into words just *why* it was hard to watch, though. I suppose it's because while in 10 years or so, when the Bush legacy is (hopefully) a cringe-worthy memory, this will be a blisteringly funny movie. However, it's not funny at all now. That was the thing, even in the theater, there was very little laughter; a few nervous chuckles, but that was it. By the end, no one was laughing, and the crowd left the film looking like they'd just come from a funeral. It should have been funny - it's a brilliant film, and the filmmakers had no need of adding anything to Bush's own story to make a point - the point was made, loud and clear. Had it been a scathing parody, it would have been deliciously funny. It wasn't funny only because it is true, it is real.

From a purely critical standpoint, I will say the movie is very well done. The casting is inspired! Just brilliant. I would never have said that Brolin looks one whit like Bush, but he captures him perfectly. There were moments I wondered if the dialog had been lip-synced, he captured Dubya's inflection so well. Nor would I ever have equated Dreyfuss with Cheney, but he, too was spot on, (although he still sounded like Dreyfuss.) Rove was more Rove-like than the original, if you can imagine that; picture Rove morphed with he creepy little German with the round glasses from Raider of the Lost Ark, and you've almost got it. *shudder* And Condi had all the tense, plastic charm of a stepford wife with way to many Botox treatments in her past. She was always slightly twisted - her posture, her expression, as if she were wincing full-time. I don't know if it was intentional, but it made her distinctly uncomfortable to watch. If it was planned, it was genius.

Scott Glenn as Rumsfeld didn't have the same visual likeness, but the on-screen Rumsfeld most definitely had the same oiliness as his namesake. So too with Powell's air of long-suffering frustration - he's not a ringer like some of the others, but he captured the essence of Powell so well you never once had to wonder who was who. The only one who didn't have that almost eerie shroud of the figure he portrayed was Bush Sr. I didn't mind though, because Cromwell, despite his familiar face as an actor, carried the role adroitly. I got the feeling we were meant to see Herbert Walker though W's eyes anyway, and that came off very well, so it seemed appropriate that we saw him looking different in this context than he did during his term in the White House.

My only gripes? Iain Gruffudd as Blair didn't work at all for me. Regardless of the other things I have seen him in, it was Reed Richards with a bad English accent talking to Bush. Kinda surreal; I kept waiting for him to stretch his arm way out for something... I don't know that I blame him, the part was a cameo, and he didn't have much to do - given more screentime I think he might have done better. And Noah Wylie popped up in a minor role that I don't think suited him, which I found jarring, but that may have been only me.

Overall, I think this was excellently handled, very well made, and superbly acted. As I sat waiting for it to start, and watching the trailers for two other strongly political films coming up, I wondered why "W" was released now with Bush still in office. Wouldn't the filmmakers have more leeway with the project with Bush out of office? Now, however, I get it. This film is a pointed reminder of what, exactly, we have dealt with for the past eight years, and a sobering reminder that we have the chance to change all that. It's a pre-election wake-up call, and given the way the election is looking, it's perfectly timed.

(and now back to the thesis.... argh!)