Did George W. Bush actually enjoy Oliver Stone’s biographical film about his presidency?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 2008, Oliver Stone’s biographical drama W. explores the life of the 43rd U.S. president. While critics were divided on its portrayal of the administration, the film’s star, Josh Brolin, later claimed that George W. Bush himself watched the movie and reportedly found it to be quite moving.

Directed by Oliver Stone and written by Stanley Weiser, W. was the third installment in Stone’s trilogy on the American presidency, following JFK and Nixon. The production was financed independently using international funds after American studios declined to back the project. Stone aimed to create a behind-the-scenes chamber piece rather than a dark political polemic, tracing seminal events from Bush’s early life as a Yale student to his decision to invade Iraq in 2003.

The film features an extensive cast, including Josh Brolin as George W. Bush, James Cromwell as George H. W. Bush, and Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney. To prepare for the title role, Brolin studied Bush’s physical movements and vocal style, while Stone and Weiser conducted research by reading 17 books. Despite the filmmakers' efforts to capture the spirit of the events, the film faced criticism for its speculative dialogue and characterizations. Jeb Bush notably dismissed the depiction of their sibling rivalry as inaccurate, suggesting the filmmakers should have consulted the family directly.

Critical reception was mixed, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 58% approval rating. Some reviewers praised the performances, while others, such as Ann Hornaday, criticized the film as a tonally jumbled caricature. Despite the controversy, the film performed modestly at the box office, grossing $25.5 million in North America against a $25.1 million budget. Ultimately, the film’s legacy remains tied to its unique attempt to humanize a polarizing figure, with Brolin reporting that Bill Clinton told Stone he had lent his copy of the film to Bush, who liked it and noted its sad moments.

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