I saw Oliver Stone's new movie on the 43rd President.
Bottom Line: Don't bother.
Way too much artistic license mixing people, places, conversations as it suits Oliver. Like adviser Karl Rowe sitting in on National Security meetings - really? Bush's misquote about "Fool me once ..." in a similar meeting not in a public speech.
And too much of a sensational perspective on his younger, wilder days. Without answering questions like if he was so derelict what someone level-headed like Laura saw in him.
But also too early - nothing of the recent economic crisis (which has overshadowed Iraq) is even mentioned, or the political mood and race this year.
And it tries to do too much. The relationship between 43 and 41 could by itself be a full movie. The complex dynamics between him and Cheney. The sibling rivalry between him and Jeb. The enduring relationship between him and Tony Blair. His dealings with the legislative and judiciary branches. Most topics are teasingly touched on but unexplored in a series of cameos.
Talking about cameos, I thought Stacy Keach stood out as Minister Earle Hudd who helps W through many of his dark moments. The relationship between the two of them could be a movie all to itself.
