Rating: 
Summary: A REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Review: Always one to challenge Hollywood convention, Warren Beatty's "Bulworth" could best be described with an abundance of adjectives: brilliant, controversial, confrontational, witty, thought-provoking, offensive, emotional, amusing, and daring. Unfortunately, most of the American film going public, accustomed to safer and lighter fare, did not get it. Hopefully, the future will be kinder and place this one on the pedestal of one of the best films of the 20th century.
Rating:
Summary: Warren Beatty IS Bulworth
Review: An incumbent Senator from California, on the eve of reelection, finds himself at loggerheads with his own conscience, on the verge of a nervous breakdown and unable to play the political "game" any longer. And he decides to take drastic measures to do something about it, in "Bulworth," one of the finest political satires ever made, written and directed by and starring Warren Beatty. Once he makes his personal commitment to "change," J. Billington Bulworth (Beatty) hits the campaign trail and wreaks havoc as he levels the playing field by introducing a unique concept into the political arena: Truth and honesty. He proceeds to single-handedly give political incorrectness new definition; and no one is safe as he launches his barrage against every possible bastion of former untouchables, from big business, big money and the entertainment industry, to invasive, unethical media, to unemployment and welfare. Before he's through he gets up close and personal with his constituents in South Central L.A., gets down with the brothers (not to mention the sisters) and, much to the chagrin of his campaign manager, Murphy (Oliver Platt), he begins to "rhyme" (rap) his speech. It's politics like you've never seen it before, in fact or fiction, and it's an exhilarating sight to behold. Beatty really hits his mark as the politician whose monumental decision to play a reversal of "Faust" gives him new energy and new life, the only downside being that he must also deal with consequences of the inevitable outcome of the "Weekend research project" he has so (as he begins to think) imprudently initiated. It's a dynamic performance underscored with nuance and infused with Beatty's own charismatic personality, which he successfully gives over to the character entirely. It's tough not to like Bulworth; he has flash, a winning smile and almost a sense of wonderment that carries him along as he addresses issues head-on and dead-on, like what is more obscene, the four-letter words he uses to make his point, or the ever widening gap between the rich and the middle class, with rising unemployment caused by big-moneyed conglomerates locating on foreign land in order to jack up prices and profits, while decimating the economic base of the working class here at home. It's a full-out frontal assault, and Bulworth pulls no punches as he manages to insult and alienate just about everyone around him; and overnight, he gains in the polls like never before. Beatty the actor "is" Bulworth the politician, and you've just got to like this guy. Oliver Platt, who has emerged as one of the finest character actors in recent memory (in the same company as William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kevin Corrigan and Steve Buscemi), plays the young, upwardly-mobile professional Murphy to the hilts; he plays it straight, which makes his confused reactions to Bulworth's sudden change in direction very real and absolutely hilarious. He makes Murphy a truly memorable character. Halle Berry (Nina) is outstanding as well, giving a performance of sultry intensity that makes the screen sizzle. There's real chemistry between her and Beatty, and the intelligence she brings to the character of this young woman from the 'hood is refreshing; it avoids any hint of stereotype, which adds to the overall credibility of the proceedings. A supporting cast made in cinematic heaven includes Jack Warden (Eddie), Christine Baranski (Constance), Sean Astin (Gary), Don Cheadle (L.D.), Nora Dunn (Missy), Paul Sorvino (Graham), Isaiah Washington (Darnell) and Laurie Metcalf (Mimi). With "Bulworth." Beatty proves himself the consummate artist (if there was ever any doubt); he makes you laugh till you cry while delivering an entertaining, moral tale without any preaching or pretentiousness whatsoever. This is a gem of a movie that will make you think and feel good at the same time. Warren Beatty and the entire cast and crew should get a standing ovation for bringing this one to the screen. Regardless of your own political preferences, this is one movie that should be seen by all.
Rating:
Summary: Bulworth for President!
Review: So, Warren Beatty was toying with the idea of actually running for president! Well, if he's as sincere and as straight-up fun as his character in the film, I'm all for it! One reviewer called Beatty's performance as a manic political candidate (and if you're interested in abnormal psychology, he plays a manic episode DEAD-ON!) "performing without a net." That's such a perfect description. Sure, most of the other characters are two-dimensional (if that!). But because they are so immediately identifiable by us, it makes it easier to like them. There are in fact, no "bad guys" in this flick. Only the feel-good hope for more love in the world. And a kickin' sound track. (I watched the film with my 80-something white middle-class mother; SHE even loved the music!) If you don't buy it, at least rent it. Either because it's a joyous, rollicking good time, or because there are lots of people who really think this way!
Rating: 
Summary: Pigs can't fly and neither can this film....
Review: This movie is upsetting & putting that into words reminds me of how my neighbor once believed pigs could fly. In other words, there are just too many places I can start & tell you why this is a bad movie.Stock characters: We all know them. The alpha bigot white cop, the smirky black street kid, the evil businessman, the black vagrant who knows just a little more about the world than we do..there's more. We never believe them, because cardboard and cliches do not a character make. Implausibility: the hit person who forgoes a job for love, the dope dealer who turns good and is 'gonna do good' but we don't know what he means by this & how he would finance it w/out using his lucrative, immoral trade. it isn't discussed because that's a straw on a camel's back and that camel is loaded down with improbability. Wasted performances: Beatty, Halle, & especially Platt waste talent in a poor story because even a good actor in a bad movie is still a good actor in a bad movie. Warren's raps: ill-informed and generally silly. Serious wincing when watching this. Muddleheaded politics: it was a brave movie to make, but its vague politics take the form of socialist/marxist posturing that doesn't jibe with reality. By the way, is Beatty aware in lionizing malcolm x in one photo, it seems, that this same man once held a joint rally with skinheads for an america where blacks would live in one section and whites in another? Also, what's this idea we have to copulate until there are no races? As specific as he is about the problems, they are whipped up into hollywood lather that has no semblance to reality. No wonder the solutions are so dumb. As hard as beatty is on other politicos-& he does have HIS points-his solutions are out of a Peter Pan tale. MOve manufacturing back to US? How about the tech economy or hispanic or asian issues? Also, beatty goes on about violent movies and his Bonnie & Clyde was one of the gatecrashers in terms of movie violence. Basically, it gets sloppy very fast and the suspense built is drained away by all the posturing. & that MLK homage was horrid. Was that REALLY respectful to MLK or even restrained enough to merit its inclusion? bad movie. Watch @ your own risk. If you take your movies with a little thought, then skip this. It encourages you not to think in order to embrace Harlequin Romance world.
Rating:
Summary: Original, daring, and funny, one of the best movies ever.
Review: Here is a movie that you will either love or hate but it certainly won't leave you indifferent.If you dislike Bulworth you most likely either can't stomach the film's left-wing political ideology or you find some aspect of the film offensive.But the willingness of the film to offend is the very thing that makes it so compelling to others.If you don't hate the movie for the above reasons you'll be able to appreciate the just how risky and original this movie is.As Bulworth campaigns,offending everyone and their mother while telling it like it is,you can't help but share in his giddy exhileration and you'll laugh your behind off at the same time.This is the essential theme of the movie and,just to keep things livly,Beatty introduces a variation as Bulworth begins to rap.On these scenes alone the film succeeds as a comedy though there are other very funny scenes(often involving Bulworth's campaign aids).Generaly I'm not a fan of rap but the film's music sets the tone nicely. The cast is universaly excellent,everyone seems to fit their part perfectly and Nina (Halle Berry) looks absolutely gorgeous.At one point, Bulworth is dancing with Nina in a Compton after hours club and,to roughly quote an internet reviewer,"this must be the most erotic scene involving two vertical people in all of cinima."What works in Bulworth works so well that the holes and improbableties inherent in the storyline seem beside the point.They certainly don't detract from the overall effect of the movie.I'm every bit as liberal a Warren Beatty and there is no doubt that your politics play a role in how you respond to the movie but I recomend this movie to everyone,you just might find it enligtening.
Rating:
Summary: Bulworth on DVD
Review: Bulworth is possibly Warren Beatty's finest film, with excellent writing, directing, and acting. It tells the tale of Democratic Senator, J. Billington Bulworth, who has put a contract out on his own life. In what he thinks will be his last days, he starts on a publicly broadcasted protest of campaign financing, presented through rap, change of appearence, and an anti-corporation/pro-black stance. Frankly, I didn't like Warren Beatty before I saw this film, but this is truly a very funny masterpiece. Not only is it funny, but it brings up some serious political and social issues. The DVD doesn't really have any extra features but the film is enough to satisfy me.
Rating:
Summary: Comedy that addresses serious questions
Review: Beatty's film isn't exactly a cinematic masterpiece, but merits five stars because it raises questions that are certainly never addressed in Hollywood and rarely in the mainstream media. Beatty had something serious to say, and said it in an entertaining way. This viewer could't ask for much more.
Rating: 
Summary: What the world needs now is......suicidal politicians
Review: The cynics often compare politicians to whores, but I'm even more jaded then that. Infact I suggest that the world's prostitutes form a union and sue those cynics. A prostitute will sell her body and admit it, a politician will sell his soul and lie about it. As we join Senator J. Billington Bulworth (Warren Beatty) he is in a morbid state of depression. He is so depressed that he takes out a 10 million dollar life insurance policy and hires a hitman to kill him. Now in his supposed final weekend on earth, he discovers that since he is a dead man anyway he may as well tell the truth about the sordid business of politics. He does away with the ludicrously phoney speeches and gives it to everybody straight, exposing the obvious fact that seems to ellude the public, that politicians are available to the highest bidder. Beatty's central(and obvious) argument here is that since politicians are in dire need of expensive "30 second spots", they will do anything for the companies that pay for their campaigns. This is not news to anyone with half a brain, but since the JFK assasination people still don't seem to comprehend just how powerful the corperate world is in the political arena. An accurate critique of the campaign finance in America then, but the reason why Bulworth is both a hilarious and riveting experience is its no holds barred honesty. Bulworth's remarks inspire a "Did he really say what I think he said reaction", the shock of his constituents is shared by the audience. One particular scene that I had to replay three times because I was laughing so hard was his rhyming, profane and deeply honest interview with a stunned network anchor. That electrifying scene alone makes the film worth repeated viewings. The photography by the legendary Vittorio Storaro (who shot Apocalypse Now) supplies a moody and slightly oppressive atmosphere. The colours on screen are a character all their own, and to be honest I didn't like them, the lighting is just a little too dark. But then Beatty isn't making an out and out comedy here. I guess the bleak atmoshere is central to the films ultimately depressing message. Bulworth stands as one of the sharpest anti-establishment films of the 1990s, almost equal in its scathing attack on the system as Oliver Stone's JFK, except funnier. It is by no means a perfect film, the ending feels out of sink with what has gone on before and Beatty often repeats himself, but as a whole it suceeds as a jaw dropping satire. It is also the first film in history to suggest a real and tangible solution to the problem of racial discrimination.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT FILM!
Review: This is the story of burned out Senator Jay Bulworth played by writer/director/producer Warren Beatty. Bulworth falls into the African-American part of culture. Very funny, very dramatic and very touching. It shows you that there really are no "colors" and as Bulworth says we all need to keep f**king each other until we're all the same color. God didn't make other different skin toned people for us to discriminate them and humiliate them. So treat everyone in this world with kindness and love no matter who they are, who are you to judge? Only God can do that. That is what this wonderful film teaches. This movie should be seen everywhere. It's wonderful.
Rating: 
Summary: Outlandish but fascinating
Review: Upon reading that this movie espoused the political beliefs of Warren Beatty, I felt compelled to watch it. I like it when people reveal something so utterly personal about themselves. However I was somewhat disappointed with the movie. The slight turning away from liberal themes, and espousing a socialist turn was indeed something interesing to think about, but I did find the South Central scenes completely unrealistic. No way would he have survived. All in all it was a well written and well acted, if preposterous, piece of film. The highlight of the movie was the semi-crazy homeless man and his message, which seems to cut right through to the essence of what the movie is supposed to be about. I didn't entirely like the movie, but I loved the ending. Very classy. Not a must have, but I'm glad I saw it.
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