Woodall W.

Oliver Stone's biopic on President George W. Bush, simply titled W. portrays the controversy through a very unbiased approach. Stone chose to focus on the man in the office, not so much on the office itself, which lends itself to a more personal, human inspection than a basic political examination of a Presidency that, in the end, most Americans did not approve of. As a person however, George W. Bush was always striving to win people over with his charm and charisma, and when we joined politics continued to focus on appealing to people personally than through his political views. Stone makes this need for affirmation a theme of the film, focusing on W’s strive for approval stemming from the constant disapproval of his father. The key scene which Oliver Stone depicts the father-son relationship between the Bush family is the dream sequence towards the end of the film. It is very important to note that it is one of W’s dreams, because we get a first person look at exactly how he feels about his father.

This scene begins with current President George W. Bush entering his office to see his father sitting with feet propped on the desk. This initial image shows how W feels his father’s controlling presence at all times, even when W is in the most powerful position in the United States. The lighting here is high key, with bright, white lights shining down on top of W, giving the scene a harsh feel, almost like an interrogation. Bush Sr. begins to throw punches at W, almost playful but with a certain malicious intent as if he subconsciously does want to hit W. The camera is constantly circling the characters as a way to disorient and confuse the audience just as W is confused about what is happening. Bush Sr. then sits back on the desk (disrespecting W’s authority once again) and begins telling W how he is always so disappointed in him. Here, Stone uses a very public proxemic to show the lack of connection between the parent and his son. He also chooses to have W sit while Bush Sr. circles around him, giving the image of great intimidation he puts on his son, while also going back to the interrogation style. The dream sequence ends with W screaming, “Get out of my life!” This proves exactly how W feels about his father—a disapproving, controlling intimidator who only brings negativity to W’s life, and W wants him out.