“W.” bounces back and forth from Bush’s time as President to his early days of hard partying and failed jobs. The film shows how Bush’s recklessness deeply disappointed his father, played by the excellent James Cromwell. This disappointment is the catalyst for Bush’s insecurity. Much of the film depicts his struggles to impress people, especially his father. No matter what he accomplishes (even becoming President), he never gets the respect and love he wants from his family and peers. This is the real tragedy behind “W.” that makes it such a poignant character study.

For the emotional power that results from this biopic journey, give credit to Josh Brolin for his sympathetic portrayal of our current president. He transcends mere imitation of Bush and creates a charismatic and often tragic character. He engages the audience by portraying Bush as an everyman. At times when he is being panned by the media for his political decisions, his charm evokes sympathy. Brolin also brings a saddening pensiveness to the role. In every scene, he makes Bush seem like he is quietly judging himself. By the end of the film, he convinces the audience that Bush has no respect for himself and that he will never love or accept himself for who he is. The most important strength of Brolin’s performance, though, is his ability to cause the viewer to empathize with Bush not only as a character but also as the President in reality. This is quite the feat considering Bush is one of the least popular presidents in American history.

—

“W.”