ACCLAIMED director Oliver Stone has spent his career examining American society and movies such as Platoon, JFK, Natural Born Killers and Wall Street have all looked deep beneath the surface and found the answers wanting.

Stone now turns his attentions to a biographical movie about current US President George W Bush, and were it not for the too long running time, a damn fine movie it would have been.

The cast of W. reads like the hall of fame of contemporary American cinema and includes Elizabeth Banks, Josh Brolin as W, James Cromwell as Bush Snr, Richard Dreyfuss, Scott Glenn, Stacey Keach, Thandie Newton and Noah Wylie.

Clearly they are all Democrats and voting for Obama!

Whether you love him or hate him, there is no question that George W Bush is one of the most controversial public figures in recent memory.

In an unprecedented undertaking, Stone brings to cinematic life America's 43rd President in his own inimitable way.

W. takes viewers through Bush's eventful life – his struggles and triumphs, how he found both his wife and his faith, and of course the critical days leading up to Bush's decision to invade Iraq.

It pulls no punches as we see Bush as a lazy, drunken womaniser who drifts aimlessly from job to job, set up by his father, W's road to Damascus moment as he finds religion and forsakes alcohol, and his desire to prove to his father that he is actually worth something.

At the heart of W. is the relationship between father and son – James Cromwell simply excels as Bush Snr, but Josh Brolin as W is simply acting his socks off.

Brolin's likeness, mannerisms and characterisation are nothing short of extraordinary and if he is not nominated for an Oscar for his performance it will be a great shame.

You might be thinking this is a dry, political movie. It is actually savagely funny in places as Stone depicts the many classic W moments, not least the decision to invade Iraq and his relationship with his Cabinet.

Scott Glenn, Richard Dreyfuss and Jeffrey Wright are all standout performances but again I have to go back to Brolin – simply a master class in acting talent.

Stone's failure as a film-maker is not being able to tell his narrative quicker – the movie is way too long and it does drag in parts. But the incredible cast and Brolin himself redeem it.

Thandie Newton is seriously miscast as Condoleezza Rice, but Elizabeth Banks is a revelation as Laura Bush – you would not recognise the very pretty actress from The Forty Year Old Virgin.

Hats off to you Oliver for making such a brave and daring – yet flawed – movie.

Rating: 4 stars

Certificate: 15

Web: www.wthefilm.com

Duration: 129 mins