Bushisms and Watergate

With the time of the presidential election approaching, it seems like now is the optimal time for biographical presidential movies. There are currently two in the making, or in the post-production status technically, soon to be released. One, being released October 17, 2008 across the nation, follows the life of none other than the infamous George W. Bush, our current president, and the other movie, latter released on December 26, 2008, covers the dramatic Watergate scandal of Richard Nixon. They are appropriately named W. and Frost/Nixon accordingly. What better way to welcome a new president into office then by releasing two movies that deal with two of the biggest (fairly) recent mistakes in presidency?

Though the movies have not been released yet, I have formed opinions and expectations based on the previews. Let me just start out by saying, that taking on the role of a well-known individual, like the President of the United States, is a very difficult task as that actor needs to not only mock the quality of that person’s voice and nail the accent, but also pick up on all the little tics and mannerisms of the individual. So for just simply taking on the roles of W. and Nixon, I applaud Josh Brolin and Frank Langella. That being said, from the previews, it seems like they do a decent job. However, Frank Langella looks as though he is doing an imitation of an imitation of Nixon, and Josh Brolin looks as though he is concentrating so much of W.’s voice and facial features that he is off slightly in both areas. It’s hard to put my finger on it, but comparing Frank Langella and Josh Brolin to the works of Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, it just can’t compare. However, maybe the full-length movie will prove me wrong.

I have also noticed that each movie plays up popular aspects of Nixon and W. For W., the previews are filled with his consistent, hilarious, idiotic quotes, popularly known as “Bushisms.” And for Nixon, Frank Langella does a fine job of doing Nixon’s ever so popular head shake and slurred words whenever he is filled with rage. But no matter how overplayed Bushisms and Nixon’s head shake are, thanks to Saturday Night Live and other parody shows, they are still an important and famous part of both W. and Nixon’s life. (And I am rather excited to hear all the random, renowned Bushisms.)

Overall, I think these movies will both be decent but not legendary. Nothing in either of the previews really jumps out at me. Nonetheless, I am always willing to try, and if I per chance go to see either of these movies, my expectations will be on the lower side of the scale. And if the movie is horrible and the same type of acting in the previews, at least I will have the Bushisms and Nixon’s head shakes to look forward to.