Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- politically charged
- witty
- sympathetic
- political history viewing
- biopic marathon
What critics said
Critics found the performances and occasional fascination worthwhile but judged the overall biographical portrait sympathetic yet rudimentary, rushed, and uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film reconstructs George W. Bush's private ambitions, family tensions, and political decisions as a scripted biographical drama.
The critical consensus specifically identifies the portrayal as surprisingly sympathetic, while the story remains focused on controversial leadership.
George W. Bush's relationship to his father, family name, and sibling rivalry is central to the film's account of his rise.
Karl Rove, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Paul Wolfowitz, and other administration figures surround Bush during his presidency.
Films like W., and why
Nixon
shared biographical drama format, presidential politics, and morally complicated portrait of a controversial American leader
The Iron Lady
shared political biography, White House power dynamics, and a blend of drama with satirical observation
Vice
shared dramatization of recent American political history, ensemble performances, and contentious leadership themes
Movie Details
- Director
- Oliver Stone
- Release Date
- 2008-10-17
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (714)
Cast
- Josh Brolin
- Colin Hanks
- Toby Jones
- Dennis Boutsikaris
- Jeffrey Wright
- Thandiwe Newton
- Scott Glenn
- Richard Dreyfuss
- Bruce McGill
- Wes Chatham
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is W. about?
- Oliver Stone’s politically charged biographical drama portrays George W. Bush’s rise from aimless youth to divisive American president.
- What is W. like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of W. as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is W. violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in W. as mild.
- What did critics think of W.?
- Critics found the performances and occasional fascination worthwhile but judged the overall biographical portrait sympathetic yet rudimentary, rushed, and uneven.
- Which films are like W.?
- Films with a similar feel include Nixon, The Iron Lady, and Vice.
- How long is W.?
- W. runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch W.?
- In United States, W. streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
