Journeys with George

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.

This documentary gives a real in-depth, behind-the scenes view of the journey for politically campaigning. From its infancy up until the end of the election.

For one, George W. Bush personifies a go-getter from the beginning hopefully becoming triumphant at the end of his 'journey' to become president. It shows his highs and lows in the political race as he is faced with constant scrutiny as well as great accomplishments along the way. You can't have a comment without a compliment in the media. The two are inseparable and George W. Bush allows for both the bad and good to be reinforced always into a positive. For some reason, he can take any comment and make it into a compliment.

He keeps battling these obstacles and successfully rising above them, only to allow them to resemble him as a go getter in his 'journey'.

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.

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.

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.