W.

[tw]

Originally Posted by glatt

Has anyone here seen "W" or know anyone who has seen "W"? It's a movie that I don't understand. Not the plot (I haven't seen it) but simply the fact that it was made in the first place.

Even the long term relationship between Cheney and Powell is demonstrated. Stunning is how W. so accurately depicts how we got there.

In a stunning scene, with a map of Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan on a projection screen, one can appreciate how Cheney, Wolfovitz, Tenant, Rumsfeld, Rice, W., etc came to a consensus. Not only Powell's position based on logic and knowledge. Not only how Powell eventually become so forceful and isolated in those meetings. But also how resulting decisions were achieved. Numerous meetings condensed into one to make the movie. But a meeting that accurately demonstrated how that consensus was achieved AND how various personalities interplayed.

I was struck by how accurately each person was portrayed making it so obvious who was who. Moreso I was blown away when I finally realized who played Cheney - a stunning performance.

Appreciate the deep seated knowledge that Powell provided. How Rumsfeld was so skilled at manipulating or spinning facts. How Condi Rice routinely offered nothing of substance. The mystery or conundrum of George Tenant. How George Jr's life experience brought him to the conclusions he made and the subtle relationship with Cheney. How George Sr was always so opposed to "Mission Accomplished" and how George Jr would only learn of this through third parties. How George Jr and Laura probably had a unique and supportive relationship.

W. demonstrates how George Jr's administration achieved decisions as documented by numerous authors including Bob Woodward. Woodward was given unprecedented access to George Jr's administration. Also well documented are the confrontations between Powell and others.

Although condensed for the movie’s benefit, George Jr finally asks a damning question in a 2003 meeting. Who is in charge of looking for WMDs? No phase four planning becomes obvious in that answer.

Also portrayed is David Kay’s confession.

Demonstrated are George Jr's tremendous ability to remember names. How he turned his life around. How Rove et al taught him the art of answering questions by identifying keywords with automatic responses. His relationship to George Sr. And, of course, how George Jr suddenly appreciated what George Sr meant about staying out of the barrel (which probably occurred about the same time that Laura bluntly corrected his cowboy attitude with productive results).

Necessary to justify war are a smoking gun, a strategic objective, and an exit strategy. Especially telling is the answer to, "What is our exit strategy?"

Like any movie telling history, much is condensed into single scenes. However to appreciate how we and they got there, W. portrays the greatness and the limitations of George Bush Jr. It tells a story that I suspect a majority never knew. Not just a story about George Jr. It also tells the story of George Sr.

Missing are important characters such as Karen Hughes, Ashcroft, Garner, Armitage, Ridge, Judith Miller, Feith, Mylorie, and Congress, the chaos of 11 September, the daughters, Katrina, a total meltdown of international relations, and other events. This is a historical story of how George Jr got where he is and why he did. Told by limiting its plot to what led up to "Mission Accomplished". Based upon extensive reading and insider interviews, this movie is an accurate depiction - a story we should all understand to appreciate how and why even the most absurd can happen. This is not a story with a political agenda. This is a story of triumph and tragedy based in historical fact.