Journeys with George

What a fun film! George W. Bush, the snarky third generation of an important political family, as filmed by Alexandra Pelosi, the snarky third generation of an important political family. It's interesting to watch the movie keeping that element in mind. Who was Bush at her age, and who will she be at his? In a time when the public side of politics is so vicious, it was refreshing to see the personable side of the President, and the playful side of the child of one of his loudest critics. Neither of them is an automaton, or stupid, or thoughtless; it's hard to imagine that family gatherings in either the Bush household or the Pelosi one are anything but rowdy, open, and a blast. Left or right, these come off as good, non-strange people who might not do everything right, but probably don't set out to do wrong.

I got to see a screening of this movie at the Newport International Film Festival a few summers ago. The sold out show made it a joy to have a theater full of people laughing at the series of segments captured during his 2000 campaign for President. I got to see the movie for free since I was volunteering my services to the film festival. After the movie, I had to drive the director of Journey's with George to the train station in the nearby town. She was dressed all in purple. From her blouse to her pants and sneakers, she stuck out like a sore thumb that was bruised purple. Like her wardrobe, the movie stuck out amongst the rest of the film screened at the festival. It was a hit amongst its audience and fans of the local republican base in Newport, Rhode Island.

The film was entertaining. It provided a candid look at W, before and after the reality of his "situation" (being a viable candidate for President) had really "sunk in." It also provides a great look at how managed are a candidate and the public's view of that candidate. In particular, Rove's role in the entire campaign was apparent ("Bush's Brain," past and present).

At any stage of W's evolution, one thing was clear in the film: W is socially awkward. His attempts at humor are, most often, ill-timed and unsophisticated; sometimes inappropriate. It reflects an apparent discomfort with himself and with others. I must say that I am not at all comforted by having seen this view of W.

Just caught this movie on HBO. See Dubya bowling oranges, eating Cheetos, and drinking Non-Alcholic Beer. Instead of the serious statesman we usually see on TV, we get this fun charismatic guy we never get to see. George jokes around and has fun. This movie never takes George or itself seriously and the post election Florida fiasco is short and sweet. If you just want to know more about what kind of man the president is "behind the scenes"; this is the movie to see. My favorite moment from the film was when the filmmaker yells out to ask Mrs. Bush who she's voting for.

This is an interesting if ultimately disappointing documentary following G.W.Bush's campaign for the presidency. It is filmed entirely by Alexandra Pelosi as a member of press pack on the campaign buses and planes across the US. It is interesting because it shows the scale of the electioneering business and it shows an inside view of Bush. The overall impression one gets is that US elections are mostly about rallies and bus trips. What Bush stands for never comes into the picture. The result is mixed. Initially Bush comes across as a bit of a buffoon, not slow-witted, as he has been portrayed, but cheeky and a bit chauvinistic, like a college prankster. He never takes Pelosi seriously, and wise-cracks his way through all her questions. However, they strike up a rapport and ultimately he is shown to be more of a friend to her than her colleagues in the press corp. Democrats will probably hate this documentary because it doesn't show him to be a dim-wit monster. Karl Rove type Republicans will not like it too much either because Bush certainly does not look presidential. The press comes off worst, portrayed basically as willing poodles as they are bussed from one rally to another.

Although very watchable, by the end I was disappointed with this documentary because it really doesn't have much bite.