WITH the US Presidential elections taking place this autumn, it’s little wonder to find a number of forthcoming American films exploring the world of politics – some of which won’t make it over to our shores.

Kevin Costner’s Swing Vote does open in UK cinemas this week (September 26), while there’s another new effort from documentarian Michael Moore. One of the more high profile releases, though, is undoubtedly W., Oliver Stone’s examination of the rise to power of the White House’s current (but soon to be departing) incumbent, George W. Bush.

One of the highlights of the forthcoming London Film Festival, the film promises to take viewers back and forth between Bush’s hard partying younger years and his first term in office, showing the highs of his rise to power but also giving ample airing of the lows.

The task of playing him falls to Josh Brolin, who has recently shot to prominence with a run of excellent performances in No Country For Old Men, In the Valley of Elah and American Gangster. But he’s supported by an equally impressive ensemble, including Thandie Newton as ‘Guru’ Condoleezza Rice, Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush, Scott Glenn as Donald Rumsfeld and Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney.

The script comes from Wall Street co-writer Stanley Weiser and promises to offer a balanced, even Capra-esque view of the politician who has already taken his fair share of shots from American filmmakers.

London Film Festival artistic director Sandra Hebron isn’t wrong when she suggests that W. will be one of the most talked about films of the year – the only question is whether it’ll be positive or negative feedback. Stone is no stranger to tackling historical figures, having already placed Richard Nixon, JFK and Castro under the spotlight, as well as the events surrounding the attack on the World Trade Center.

But critics have been divided between those that consider him to be a fearless filmmaker not afraid of upsetting the establishment and those that think he’s beginning to lose his edge.

The trailer suggests there’s plenty of room for fun, with scenes of a young, brash and brawling Bush juxtaposed with a greying Brolin sitting back in the White House. The choice of music – Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World – is inspired, as is much of the supporting cast.

Fans hoping to catch an early glimpse of the film should be sure to book early for its Times Gala screening on October 23, or its follow-up on October 24. But if you’re prepared to wait, then the film opens in UK cinemas on November 7 – when audiences will be able to cast their vote.

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