Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageBulworth (1998)
Director: Warren Beatty
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
This opens with an image of disillusionment: alone in his study, a Democrat Senator (Beatty), up for re-election in 1996, sits in front of his VCR, weeping at repeated shots of himself extolling 'liberal' values. At the end of his rope, he takes out a contract on his life (after lining up massive life insurance for his daughter), then goes to a rally in South Central LA where, to the horror of his aides, he tells the black assembly how little they and other impoverished groups mean to politicians of every hue. Aroused both by their response and by the sight of a young woman in the audience (Berry), Bulworth accompanies her to a club where, driven and dazed by desire, drugs and dance, he rediscovers the will both to live and to make a difference simply by telling the awful truth. This is that rare thing: a Hollywood satire/conspiracy thriller that takes its politics seriously, is prepared to provoke and even offend, and actually takes risks, dramatic and otherwise. It's a sharp, brave movie, a little ragged around the edges, but that's to its advantage. Notwithstanding the faintly predictable romantic subplot, this is not pre-packaged high-concept entertainment. Intriguing, intelligent and ambitious.Author: GA
Cast & crew
Director: Warren Beatty
Producer: Warren Beatty, Pieter Jan Brugge
Cast: Warren Beatty, Oliver Platt, Don Cheadle, Paul Sorvino, Halle Berry, Jack Warden, Isaiah Washington, Christine Baranski, Richard Sarafian full cast
Genre(s): Comedy
Duration: 108 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now