He’s made movies about pornographers and serial killers, tortured ‘Nam soldiers and tortured ‘Nam vets, assassinated presidents and disgraced presidents. But to hear Oliver Stone tell it, his last film might have been his riskiest.
“I’m lucky to have survived,” the Oscar-winning director told MTV on the eve of the DVD release of 2008’s George Bush biopic “W.” “It was a movie that was dangerous to make.” What could be risky about depicting a sitting president, dramatizing events still fresh—and sometimes painful—in viewers’ minds and hustling crazily to release the film less than a month before the election? Oh, right. “It could have gotten killed,” Stone went on. “We survived the onslaught.”
In fact, that onslaught turned out far different than anyone imagined. When news of the project first surfaced, talk among pundits, politicos and film fans centered on how thoroughly the famously liberal director would trash the president’s already tarnished image. But once the film hit theaters, Stone said, “If anything, people criticized it for being fair.”
All this focus on Bush-the-film-character obscured the larger point Stone was trying to communicate. “People are saying, ‘I hate Bush,’ ‘I love Bush,’” he said. “Who cares? The whole point is where is the American mentality at? We feel entitled to dominate the world.” He points to a crucial scene late in the movie in which the Cabinet is discussing a possible war against Iran—and, implicitly, the expansion of the American empire—as the true centerpiece of the film.
But the title is “W,” not “American Empire,” and inevitably the film’s critical reception would hinge on the strength of Josh Brolin’s portrayal of the 43rd president. Brolin threw himself into the role, quitting drinking for eight months and often staying in character on set. The critics were kind, but he was ignored during awards season. “I wish he had gotten more attention,” said the director. “It’s a valid piece of work. It’s not dripping with hate, which I think is good in the long run.”
Oscar voters may not have taken notice of Brolin as Bush, but did Bush himself take notice of Brolin? “I can tell you from two reliable sources that he did see it,” said Stone. “He apparently liked Josh Brolin. I asked this high source who knows both the father and son very well if they think I had the Oedipal connection down. He thinks it’s pretty accurate.”
While “W” ends in 2004, leaving an entire four-year term unexplored, Stone has no plans to make “W, Part II.” “The seeds of the man are laid in how he becomes an emperor,” said the director. “He says it all with Iraq. There’s no point in going into all the misdeeds. There’s not much growth of character there.”
Stone may not be revisiting Bush and Co. again, but that doesn’t mean the former president will be out of his life forever. “I think he’s laughing now,” says Stone. “I don’t think this guy is going into the sunset with any doubts. I think he’s going to be a force in the opposition. Those guys will be around in different shapes and sizes, in Sarah Palin disguises. They’re here to haunt us.”
What did you think about Brolin’s Bush? How does it compare to Will Ferrell’s? And would you pay to see a “W” sequel?
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