Movie Review: "W."

Originally published in the 10/19/08 edition of the Advisor/Source Newspapers.

Movie Doesn't Misunderestimate W.

By Chris Williams

“Rarely is the question asked 'Is our children learning?’”-President George W. Bush
Love him or hate him, he’s always interesting.

I could, of course, be talking about President George W. Bush, the 43rd Commander In Chief of the United States of America. Possibly the most polarizing president in current history, Bush came to office following a controversial 2000 election and, in the days after the 9/11 terror attacks, saw his approval rating soar as high as 80 percent. These days, as the war in Iraq continues to rage and the economy suffers its greatest challenge since the Great Depression, his approval rating is less than 30 percent.

I could also be talking about Oliver Stone, who has been Hollywood’s most controversial director since the 1980s, when he won Best Director for his Vietnam masterpiece “Platoon.” Stone has notoriously ruffled feathers with his flashy, hyper-realized commentaries on war, politics, conspiracies and America. He has directed the masterpieces “Wall Street,” “JFK,” “Talk Radio” and “Natural Born Killers,” and also had his share of disasters, including the abysmal “Alexander.”

The ultra-conservative Bush and left-wing Stone meet in “W.,” possibly the first biopic of a sitting U.S. President. As the final days of Bush’s administration loom, Stone examines how a C-average frat boy from an American dynasty wound up following in his father’s footsteps and continuing a war he was angered was never properly finished.

And for those who think that Stone will deliver a liberal smear campaign with nothing more than “Saturday Night Live”-quality shtick and “Fahrenheit 9/11” cheap shots, prepare to be surprised, as Stone delivers a thoughtful and even-handed look at a man who is fascinating and likable but possibly in way over his head.

Josh Brolin, so solid in “No Country for Old Men,” returns to Texas as Bush, who we first see in session in the White House coining the phrase “Axis of Evil” with cronies Dick Cheney (Richard Dreyfuss), Karl Rove (Toby Jones), Colin Powell (Jeffrey Wright) and Condoleezza Rice (Thandie Newton). We then flash back to see him as a college party boy and functioning alcoholic in Texas, helped out by his father George H.W. Bush (James Cromwell) who voices his disappointment in his son’s lack of direction. We see him fail at a career as an oil man, fume as his father grooms brother Jeb for political success and fall in love with future wife, Laura (Elizabeth Banks).

Brolin, stepson of famously outspoken liberal Barbara Streisand, would not seem to be the first choice to step into the W’s shoes. His politics are not in line with the Republican and his looks are tougher than the President’s. Yet the actor will likely land a deserved Academy Award nomination for his work here, in which he inhabits Bush’s folksy Texas dialect, his cowboy charm and swagger, and the stubborn streak that has defined the majority of his career.

Many would expect this role to be a joke, and indeed I expected Brolin and Stone to turn Bush into a caricature. Yet Brolin creates a true character and performance here, empathizing with the future President as he tries to earn his father’s love, searches for direction and then finds religion. Brolin’s Bush may be a poor speaker, as is referenced in several real-life gaffes, but he’s also ambitious, likable and a strong fighter. The question Stone’s asking here is not “How dumb is Bush,” which would be a cheap and unfair shot, but “How did an average student and party boy claim the world’s highest office?” It’s a fair question and, watching the film, we sense that Stone may actually like Bush the person, even if he feels that his family ties, daddy issues and obstinate streak ultimately put a man in office who had neither the depth nor patience for the job. Those who think Bush is a monster may be disappointed to leave the film, since Stone doesn’t eviscerate him onscreen.

Stone began holding back his visual pyrotechnics with 2005’s “World Trade Center” and he continues to rein in his style here. There are no quick cuts or stylish editing on display, and the tone of the film has less to do with the angry polemic of “JFK” and more in common with the thoughtful tone of “Nixon,” albeit with more humor. “W.” is at times a dark comedy, but often its humor is derived simply from watching Bush interact in the political realm; at times it’s the ultimate fish-out-of-water tale, and one wonders if we’d admire the man if he had stayed out of politics and stayed in baseball, where his true passions lied.

There’s a surreal feeling in watching current events played out on the big screen and sometimes “W.” seems to hiccup as we watch news of the last few years come to life. I suspect that phrases like “The Decider” and “misunderestimated,” as well as the infamous pretzel-choking incident will play more natural as more distance exists between the film and the real events; it’s not a fault of the movie if it sometimes seems to jolt us out of the story, rather it’s the oddity of seeing current events played out on a screen where we normally see entertainment.

Just as Bush’s cabinet and advisors have had tremendous impact, for better or for worse, on his presidency, the cast of characters surrounding Brolin ultimately elevates the film into something better than an average biopic. Cheney and Rove come off as the real bad guys in the administration, manipulating the President for their own agenda, while Powell provided the voice of reason. Dreyfuss, Jones and Wright could all be looking at Supporting Actor nods come Oscar time, as could Cromwell, who looks and sounds nothing like the elder Bush but provides a strong emotional core to the film. Banks is fine but underutilized as Laura Bush and Newton affects Rice’s mannerisms perfectly but oftentimes seems to be going more for shtick than character, which jabs at the film’s tone.

The question will be asked whether or not it is prudent to release a film about a president currently in office. Ethically and politically, I think that a sitting president, especially one who has been at the helm in such a fragile time as this, is fair game for a film. Artistically, however, I feel that current politics and concerns may prohibit some from enjoying the film on its own merits. People will avoid it or go into it based on their own agendas, looking for or speaking out against what they perceive to be a political attack. This is a shame since “W.” is more about a man than his agendas and even those who despise Bush’s presidency may find themselves fascinated by his story.

I suspect that in 20 years “W.” will be revisited and hailed as one of the great portraits of a president. It’s a “warts-and-all” biography, no more scathing than “Ray” or “Walk the Line,” and delivered with more skill, energy and even heart than those projects. For a director like Stone to deliver a film so even-handed and uncontroversial, conducted with so much empathy is commendable. “W.” is one of the year’s best films. Grade: A-

Chris Williams is a Source Staff writer and member of the Detroit Film Critics’ Society. He can be reached at Chris.Williams@advisorsource.com

A chat with "Ember's" citizens

Okay, here's a little treat for you. I did not have the opportunity to attend a screening of "City of Ember" before it opened--it's out today and I hope to catch it this weekend. But over the summer I did have an opportunity to chat with the film's star, Saoirse Ronan, and director Gil Kenan. The review was finally published this week in the 10/12/08 edition of the Advisor and Source Newspapers, so I thought I'd share it here.

Citizens of "City of Ember"

by Chris Williams



In the new film adventure "City of Ember," an underground city is facing disaster and only two kids can save the day.



A big budget adaptation of the popular young adult novel by Jeanne DuPrau, the film features performances by Oscar winner Tim Robbins and Oscar-nominated funnyman Bill Murray as the adults who can help or hinder protagonists Lina Mayfleet and Doon Hallow. Twentieth Century Fox is hoping the film will join the ranks of "Harry Potter," "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and "Kung Fu Panda" as a new family classic.



The studio's hopes are pinned on young director Gil Kenan, who last helmed the horror-comedy "Monster House," and actress Saoirse Ronan, last seen opposite Kiera Knightley in the Oscar-nominated "Atonement." Over the summer Kenan and Ronan both talked with the Source about the highly-anticipated film, which will be released in theaters Oct. 10.



'Atonement' and adaptations



On a beautiful day when most children her age were enjoying the last days of summer, 14-year-old Saoirse (pronounced 'SIR-sha') Ronan was indoors in Los Angeles concluding a day of interviews with reporters from across the country.



"I'm not mad about staying inside and doing interviews," said Ronan. "Obviously you're going to want to go out and have fun, but you have to promote the movie. I don't mind doing it because then I can go home and enjoy that."



Home for Ronan is her native Ireland, where she lives with her parents and recently started her second year of high school. She said her parents are supportive and her father helps her pick the right scripts sent to her, but she also realizes that life as a high school student is probably about to make a big change. For one, she said she most-likely won't be getting involved in drama club, because she wants to be able to live a bit normally and give others their chance in the spotlight.



Besides, it might not be fair for others to have to audition against a teenage Oscar nominee. Ronan received that honor last year, when she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her work as Briony Tallis in the critically-acclaimed "Atonement" alongside Knightley and James McAvoy. She will next be seen in the adaptation of the popular novel "The Lovely Jones," where she plays murdered child Susie Salmon alongside actors Mark Wahlberg, Susan Sarandon and Rachel Weisz. The film is directed by Peter Jackson, the Oscar-winning helmer of "King Kong" and "The Lord of the Rings."



Not a bad clique to be around in your high school years.



"I think there's a few good people that I've got to work with and hopefully that will continue," said Ronan.



The included both Robbins and Murray, whose work as the Mayor of Ember brought a levity and charm to the set, Ronan said.



"It was brilliant," she said. "He was so much fun and he brought so much to the set."

"Ember" is yet another adaptation to add to Ronan's resume alongside "Atonement" and "Lovely Bones." Yet where those films dealt with solemn, serious issues, the new movie features gigantic set pieces and mind-bending mysteries all delivered with a sense of humor and adventure.



"Everything up to 'City of Ember' wasn't really a big film, they were kind of quiet and smaller and more serious," Ronan said. "But I didn't really mind it. It was great."



As heroine Lina, Ronan is involved in the chase to save Ember. Lina finds a box in her apartment that houses instructions to save the city that have been discarded by a corrupt mayor. As the new mayor (Murray) tracks her down, she must do whatever she can to solve Ember's hidden mysteries.



Ronan said it was a great deal of fun to step of the film's massive set and be part of an adventure film designed to appeal to her peers.



"It was great to do and lots of fun. There's lots of stuff that happens and it's just so much fun," said Ronan. "The same thing that people liked about the book, they're going to like about the movie. It's just very exciting."



As Ronan moves forward into her teenage years, she knows that the opportunity to cash in on her fame by taking roles in crude comedies and slasher films could be a temptation. Yet she said she wants to stick to more respectable work and has a word of advice for young actors getting formulaic scripts.



"Just don't do them. Some of them are actually very good, but there are always some bad ones and that's for any movie," she said. "I don't think I'd like to do a horror movie, though. I suppose I just have to see what comes her way."



There is one genre, however, she said she may like to dance her way into.



"I think it would be fun to be in a musical," she said. "The singing and dancing just seem like it would be a lot of fun."



From a "House" to a "City"



Gil Kenan's feature debut, the 2006 family horror-comedy "Monster House," was a computer-animated adventure that required no sets or costumes. In making the film, Kenan dressed his actors up in special suits that captured their movements and facial reactions. The sets and special effects were all added later by animators.



For "City of Ember," Kenan could have easily gone the same route or, similar to the films "300" and "Sin City," filmed his actors and animated the settings. But Kenan felt it was necessary to build a large set that housed Ember, the place his actors would call home for several months.



"We went the practical route because I really wanted to give the actors a tangible experience with this," he said. "In some ways, this is actually a bit easier because everything is right there. You're not asking them to react to a ball on a stick or pretend something's there when it's not."



Born in the United Kingdom, Kenan was a film student who caught a self-described "lucky break" when one of his short films played in a festival and caught the eye of Hollywood agents. Shortly after that, Kenan received a call to meet with some of Hollywood's biggest players.



"At that point, I was struggling and I was basically living hand-to-mouth," he said. "Literally within a few months of that call I was having meetings with Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg."



It was with those two that Kenan would eventually collaborate on "Monster House," a film about two young boys who battle a house that literally comes to life and begins eating neighborhood residents. Raised on films like "E.T.," "Poltergeist" and "The Goonies," Kenan made the film a sort of homage back to the family films of the 1980s that dared to actually mix real scares in between the laughs.



"I feel like the reason I liked the movies I did when I was growing up was that they didn't pacify the experience. There was a danger and an excitement to them," he said. "That drove me in a big way to 'Monster House,' and I feel like when I watch that that it captures that same sort of tone."



Before taking on the "House," however, Kenan was attracted to an adaptation of Jeanne DuPrau's young adult novel about a 200-year-old underground city that's running out of time. Although complications required "Monster House" to come first, Kenan still felt his home was with "City of Ember," which he liked because of the science fiction elements of the story.



"One of the things that was really interesting was the interplay between the characters and their environment, in this city that is underground with these lamps lighting it that are about to go out," he said. "With 'Ember' I really loved the idea that this place we call home is about to disappear and needs to be saved."

Constructing the elaborate city took the work of hundreds of craftsman and construction workers. For the city's look, Kenan turned to other famous dystopias, including the first such film, Fritz Lang's 1926 silent masterpiece "Metropolis."



"I was really inspired by looking at 'Metropolis'. You're looking to construct something that's visually interesting, but also functional, and when you look at these dystopian periods, they kind of all boil down to the same design," he said. "All of them were sort of born from that same look."



With the city ready to go, Kenan said the film would rest on the shoulders of "Ember's" citizens. He said Murray, with his dry wit, was a natural choice for the Mayor of Ember and that Robbins' cache lent credibility to his role. For the casting of Lina Mayfleet, however, he turned to Ronan, then an unknown.



"It was just crystal-clear that she was the right girl for this role," Kenan said. "Obviously 'Atonement' proved that she had the chops, but she was just wonderful in her audition."

Movie Review: "Religulous"

It’s dangerous enough to make a film about religion, let alone a comedy. From “Life of Brian” to “Dogma,” films dealing with religion in jest have faced boycotts, scrutiny and harsh criticism from the devout.

So I’m shocked that more noise has not been made about “Religulous,” the new comedy-documentary from comedian Bill Maher and director Larry Charles (“Borat”). Here is a film that posits that religion is not just silly, but dangerous and should be stricken from the face of the Earth. Yet there seems to be more concern over David Zucker’s spoof “An American Carol” and Oliver Stone’s upcoming George W. Bush satire than of this film, which starts off funny, and then turns into an angry screed of doubt and cynicism.

Of course, it could just be that people see Maher involved in a movie about religion and know exactly what to expect. For more than 30 years, the comedian and former host of “Politically Incorrect” has praised drugs, bashed marriage and said whatever is on his mind, no matter how shocking or callous. But he’s always saved the majority of his venom for religion, especially Christianity.

Maher is not an atheist, mind you. He’s an out-and-proud agnostic who says he doesn’t know if there is anyone out there watching us and that it’s arrogant to think you know something for certain. His goal with the film, he says, is to find out why religion is such an attractive choice for people around the world and he sets out interviewing several representatives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Representatives may actually be too strong of a word. Maher, an intelligent and very witty comedian, knows what leads to comic gold. So he spends most of the film talking with people on the fringes of the religion - a Muslim imam at the controversial Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, an Israeli physician with an elaborate system of machines set up so he can avoid any work on the Sabbath and the actor who plays Jesus at The Holy Land Experience amusement park in Orlando.

As Charles proved with the much-better “Borat,” catching people dumbfounded, awkward and off-guard can be hilarious, and there’s no shortage of idiocy on parade in “Religulous.” Peppering in clips from religious television programs, evangelistic outreach ministries and even a few adult films, Maher and Charles provide a smart-aleck counterpoint to even the most earnest followers. They also make sure to interview the most ludicrous televangelists, a few gay Muslims and a Mexican man who claims to be the second coming of Christ; his name is even, conveniently, Jesus.

The film is very funny, I will admit. And I would expect no less coming from such an intelligent comedian as Maher and a director like Larry Charles, who cut his teeth on “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Maher is a smart and likable interviewer who laughs and jokes with his subjects before going in for a well-timed kill, whether its getting a senator to admit “you don’t need an IQ test to serve in the senate” or trapping a health-and-prosperity evangelist by stating that Jesus actually saved some of his harshest words for the rich and the powerful. Maher leads the subjects into the joke and Charles, using smart editing and invasive camera work, lends a visual punch line. As a comedy that examines how human beings often make a mess of religion and faith, “Religulous” succeeds from time to time.

The problem is that “Religulous” is not just a comedy. It’s a documentary and, on that level, it is extremely problematic.

I don’t believe that Maher and Charles ever set out to make a serious examination of faith, yet that’s what he claims to be setting out to do at the beginning. Yet by interviewing people on the fringe, Maher loses any sight of real debate and discussion. If he was convinced that faith is truly a fraud, then it may have behooved him to talk with theologians, Bible scholars, archeologists and scientists, rather than actors and televangelists. He does sit with a Vatican priest who is a believer in evolution and a scientist who is one of the few deists in the Human Genome project. But those interviews are not necessarily funny and he cuts to his next wacky subject after a few brief sentences, just when it appears the debate could get interesting. It’s the same misguided editing used by Ben Stein when he went after anti-theist Richard Dawkins in this year’s woeful “Expelled.”

Maher also stoops to Michael Moore shock “facts” to get his point across. Rather than try and explain his lack of faith rationally, he pulls out some statements that sound good but are ultimately pointless. His use of quotes by the Founding Fathers to show their distaste of religion is misleading, as a quote by John Adams is taken extremely out of context and his examination of Thomas Jefferson, who compiled a New Testament with all references to Christ’s miracles and divinity expunged, fails to note that Jefferson did admire Christ as a moral teacher. The parallels he cites between the Gospel story and the Egyptian legend of Horus are extremely problematical, as most have been proven to be the basis of historical urban legends. By the time he delivers an angry polemic at Megiddo, the site where Christians believe the world will end, Maher has not earned his anger or proven that there is any credence to his belief that religion will destroy the world.

There’s an interesting moment halfway through the film in which Maher challenges someone on the doctrine of the Trinity. The subject actually gives a smart reply, using the three states of water as an example. Maher is genuinely stopped in his tracks for a second and confesses later that he didn’t know what to say. “But two minutes later, you realize it’s all BS,” he says.

That’s funny. I felt that way quite a bit during “Religulous.” Grade: C-

Chris Williams is a Source staff writer and member of the Detroit Film Critics Society. He can be reached at Chris.Williams@advisorsource.com

This review was originally published in the 10/12/08 edition of the Advisor and Source Newspapers.

Movie Review: Blindness

Make no mistake about it: despite the pedigree of Oscar-winning director Fernando Mierelles, and actors Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo, “Blindness” is not a pleasant, beautiful movie.

The film, based on a novel by Jose Saramango, has elements of drama, political allegory and science fiction. But at heart, “Blindness” is a horror story about the thin line between civilization and chaos, the darkest depths of the human heart and what happens when we ignore society’s most vulnerable.

Set in an unidentified city in the near future, “Blindness” depicts a world in which a new epidemic causes people to be afflicted by “the white sickness,” a disease that robs people of their sight. A doctor (Ruffalo) is stricken with the disease after treating a patient and when government officials come to quarantine him, his wife (Moore) stays by his side, hiding the fact that she can see.

As the sickness spreads, more people are brought into the quarantine compound, where they are left on their own, and supplied only with basic food and necessities. Civilization outside the camp breaks down and factions break out within the quarantined wards, leading to the rise of a warlord of sorts (Gael Garcia Bernal), who hordes the food and makes sickening demands in order to give it away. All the while, the doctor’s wife watches in silence and we wonder if it would be better to be blind than to see the horror of what’s going on.

Government neglect, human degradation, starvation, humiliation and gang rape do not necessarily make for an enjoyable time at the movies, and “Blindness” is about as bleak as films come. Mierelles drains the film stock of nearly all color, giving even the most subtle moments an air of dread about them. He films some of the most horrifying moments in near darkness and does not spare the audience the most painful sights. “Blindness” is definitely not a date movie or escapist fare.

But a depressing film is not necessarily a bad one and there are moments of near-brilliance in Mierelles’ tale. While not as thrilling as his classic debut “City of God” or as emotionally resonant and suspenseful as “The Constant Gardner,” the director is not reveling in human misery or exploiting calamity. With its unnamed character, unidentified city and unspecified time period, “Blindness” serves not as simple fiction, but as an allegory that prompts us to consider compassion by showing us its absence.

How do we treat the world’s most afflicted and vulnerable? Do we show them compassion or move them out of sight, comforting ourselves by throwing them a dollar or giving them a sandwich? What are the ramifications of our actions toward people in need and are we damning ourselves by ignoring problems that don’t immediately affect us? “Blindness” can be seen for a metaphor, albeit heavy-handed at times, for these questions and it’s a none-too-subtle allegory for situations that have developed in areas like Darfur and Rwanda, where the world’s governments have ignored the need for so long that chaos has erupted.

Moore, in a strong performance, could be seen as the nations or individuals that can see their problem. Her character arc, as she moves from taking care of her husband to becoming a surrogate mother for all in her ward, speaks of the responsibility of those who have sight to care for the problem and get involved. Ruffalo earns sympathy as the husband who formerly supported his family and now has to depend on others for the most menial tasks.

Those who don’t like being preached to will likely bristle at “Blindness’s” message and others may find it simply too grim to endure. The allegorical structure doesn’t allow for much character development and Mierelles does go a bit overboard with his stylistic tics, which sometimes overpower the story’s narrative. The film lacks the warmth and humanity of his other films, and even the ending, which aims for hope, still feels dark.

But for those willing to endure the grim spectacle of “Blindness,” they will find a movie that speaks to important issues and, if the film restores the sight of governments to the plight of the needy, it will be worth it. Grade: B

Originally published in the Oct. 5 edition of The Source newspaper. Written by Chris Williams.