Bush's Brain (2004)
The title of this latest political documentary, Bush's Brain, is not necessarily meant to be oxymoronic?the term refers to Dubya's closest adviser, Karl Rove, a/k/a Svengali, the Puppet Master, or Dr. Frankenstein, according to Rove's harshest critics. Depending on your political leanings, this most recent offering in a series of election-year documentaries is either a baseless smear campaign against Rove or an alarming portrait of a ruthless, borderline amoral politico. Judged strictly on its merits as a documentary, Bush's Brain is nowhere near as entertaining or incendiary a piece of filmmaking like Fahrenheit 9/11, but it's extremely involving and raises many disturbing questions about the ethically questionable tactics Rove uses in his "win at any cost" brand of politics.
Based on the best-selling book of the same name by James C. Moore and Wayne Slater, Bush's Brain attempts to penetrate the layers of secrecy surrounding Karl Rove, the enigmatic power behind the Oval Office. Through interviews with the authors, longtime Rove observers like the always quotable columnist Molly Ivins, and former Rove associates, filmmakers Joseph Mealey and Michael Paradies Shoob chart Rove's rise from the high school debate team to the White House (The film could be subtitled Revenge of the Nerd). A brilliant strategist who resembles a pudgy, grown-up version of Ralphie from A Christmas Story, Rove seems to have an uncanny knack for flying under the media radar while ruining the political and professional lives of anyone who gets in his way. Or so Moore and Slater argue both here and in their book; publication of the latter prompted a ten-page, single-spaced, angry rebuttal from Rove (he declined to be interviewed for this film).
Although Bush's Brain is basically your standard, garden variety "talking heads" documentary that devotes a little too much time to Rove's Texas years, versus his current role in the Bush administration, it nevertheless succeeds at stirring the blood, whatever your political bias may be. One interviewee after another?some of whom once counted Rove as a close friend?discusses the man with a mixture of begrudging admiration and outright contempt. Most galling of all, in light of current events, is the film's examination of the 2000 South Carolina Republican Primary, where Bush initially trailed John McCain. Suddenly, vicious and completely unfounded rumors began circulating in South Carolina regarding McCain's "black" love child, i.e., his adopted Indian daughter, and his wife's drug problem, which she had never kept secret. While these stories were never directly traced to Rove (he's the Teflon-consultant), such rumor mongering is reportedly par for the course in a Rove-directed campaign.
The film also succeeds in illuminating the special bond between Rove and Dubya, which dates from the early '70s, when the rabid Young Republican first met the prodigal son while working for Bush senior. Using stills and archival footage, the filmmakers show how Rove took the over-privileged "playboy" in hand and carefully molded him into an effective politician.
If Rove somewhat eludes the filmmakers' grasp, they are not alone. Except for the President and possibly other members of Bush's inner circle, few can say they truly know the man who plays such a vital role in shaping current policy.
Some refer to Karl Rove as the Wizard of Oz. Bush's Brain offers viewers an illuminating look at that man behind the political curtain. And we all know what happened at the end of The Wizard of Oz?it was all just a big, Technicolor dream.
-- Timothy Knight, REEL.COM
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