George W. Bush’ presidency is almost over, with just days to go until the U.S. Election sees either John McCain or Barack Obama replace him in the White House. We all have our opinion on the guy (personally I think he’s a chimp) but some have recently been forced to reassess their opinions.
Making a biopic about someone as famous or even infamous as George W. Bush means you have to find out a lot about the person whose story you’re bringing to the big screen. Which is exactly what director Oliver Stone and lead actor Josh brolin did while making W.
Speaking to Digital Spy at the European première of the film, Brolin admits to changing his views whilst making the movie.
“My personal perception of him [has changed]. I like his relationship with his wife, I love his relationship with his family.”
“I think the guy is a decent guy. I think the guy truly had great intentions in bringing [peace] to the Middle East and they were curtailed again and again and again.”
However, Oliver Stone didn’t have any such revelatory moment, insisting:
“I had suspicions that this was no good, this administration. That didn’t colour what I saw. He speaks for himself. That administration has said what they mean and done what they mean.”
I intend to go and see W next week but I very much doubt whether my views, built up over the course of the last eight years, will be significantly altered by what I see. Maybe Brolin had to see the good side of the guy in order to portray him fairly? But even Brolin makes him look like a chimp.
