A Manhattan movie
The McCain campaign was put in an awkward situation Tuesday night when it held a fundraiser across the street from the Ziegfeld Theater. The theater was hosting the New York City premiere of “W.,” Oliver Stone’s new film about President George W. Bush.
The red carpet was filled with members of the “W.” cast who were less than supportive of the current Republican administration and of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.
“I would not appreciate and not welcome” McCain to this premiere, said Richard Dreyfuss, who plays Dick Cheney in the film. Perhaps playing a vice president gave Dreyfuss a unique perspective on McCain’s veep pick, Sarah Palin. “She’s not prepared,” he told Yeas & Nays. “God help us if they get elected.”
James Cromwell, who played George Bush Sr., thinks Bush 43 ran the country like “imperial Rome” and said that all he needs after being president “is a good lawyer.”
But some cast members spoke more positively about the first couple.
Elizabeth Banks, who played Laura Bush, watched countless interviews of the first lady “when [Bush] finally let her guard down.” She said she learned that Laura Bush was really “the ying to Bush’s yang.”
“The movie is more about the relationship between Laura and George,” Banks said, “which both Josh Brolin and I believe was very supportive.” (Brolin played the 43rd president in the flick.)
Brolin actually went as far as to say that “yes, Bush is smart” but thought that January should definitely be the last time we really hear from Bush.
When asked what Bush should do when his term ends, Brolin said: “Go hang out at the ranch!”
Also in attendance: Ted Danson, Colin Hanks, Ellen Burnstyn, Diane Lane, Cedric The Entertainer, Rosario Dawson, Julia Stiles, Russell Simmons.
(Image courtesy Lionsgate)
