You have to admire Oliver Stone for having the cajones to make a film about a president who is not only still alive, but still in office. Although he’s no pushover, Stone has handled George W. Bush with a surprising amount of warmth and humor. While a bit uneven, the film is enlightening and entertaining, and I stand by my assertion that it’s a must see for every American voter.

It’s fascinating to go behind the doors of the oval office and see one man’s somewhat tongue-in-cheek take on very current American politics. Some cast members, including Josh Brolin as W himself and Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney are spot on. Others, such as Thandie Newton as Condoleezza Rice and Geoffrey Wright as Colin Powell, appear to be doing awkward Saturday Night Live impersonations. Others, including the too-young and talented Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush and James Cromwell as George Herbert Walker Bush, just seem miscast – Cromwell has the demeanor down, but no attempts are made for him to look the part.

With such great lengths taken for most of the rest of the cast to appear authentic, it’s a bit disconcerting. In addition it’s apparent that Stone was not working with his usual mega-budget, especially in the election results scenes, where hopeful candidates should have been anxiously waiting in hotel ballrooms festooned with red, white and blue banners and balloons, but instead are huddled in small, middle-class living rooms watching TV.

But those are minor flaws that only marginally detract from the big, beautiful picture. The story of one man’s inadvertent ascendancy from befuddled, rich boy slacker to the presidency of the United States is fabulous fodder for film. W is portrayed neither as evil nor stupid, but more as naïve and unprepared for the highest office in the world. His cabinet does not get off so lightly. Regardless of your political persuasion, it inspires you to get out and vote—maybe even run for office. After all, if a guy like W can be president, just think what you could do.

Rated PG-13. 

-- Lisa Johnson Mandell