(Nov. 4, 2008) — George W. Bush became president in 2001 after a controversial general election that ended up going all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court; four months after 9/11, he held an 80% approval rating. However, George W. Bush turned out to be a fluke, with his approval rating dropping over time to 30%, which is where it stands today. You can ask any American and they would give you many reasons why Bush’s support dropped to drastically. W , directed by Oliver Stone, takes a look into George W. Bush’s life, and presents a perspective unlike any other. Stone’s purpose in making this movie seems to be make people regret voting for Bush. His movie is a work of controversy, as it focuses on Bush’s alcohol abuse as a young adult and his role as president of an ever changing country. Josh Brolin plays Bush, and he does a pleasing job portraying a human side of Bush. He puts 110% into his acting, all while relishing his role as Bush. The audience can connect to Bush’s atorcious public speaking skills. For example, in one scene, Bush is asked a difficult question and can’t come up with an answer. He opts out of the question by saying, “That is a good question.” He never comes up with an answer because the movie cuts to another scene. Brolin blends his talent and knowledge of Bush to produce an image of a vacant president who can’t stay out of trouble without his dad’s assistance. The acting of Thandie Newton, who plays Condoleezza Rice, is not compelling at all. Rice is supposed to be a smart, secure African American, who knows her politics. On the contrary, Newton doesn’t portray her as the person I imagine. She stumbles over her lines without much confidence. Stone could have picked a better actress to play Rice. Half of the movie is devoted to Bush’s alcoholism, which he has trouble getting over for many years. That is until he turns to Alcoholics Anonymous. At the meeting, he gets hooked on to a new passion: God. This helps him with hindering his addiction and moving on with his life. Portraying his alcoholic behavior helps many viewers understand a subtle, but significant issue in Bush’s life. With Bush leaving the White House, we hope Stone doesn’t have to make another movie in four years.