Bulworth
Plot
Berikut ringkasan singkat film Bulworth: Dalam drama komedi provokatif ini, Warren "Woo" Bulworth (Warren Beatty), seorang Senator Demokrat dari California, berada di persimpangan jalan. Merasa terputus dari konstituennya dan kecewa dengan sistem politik yang korup, Woo memutuskan untuk mengambil tindakan drastis untuk mengguncang keadaan. Dengan rencana untuk memalsukan pembunuhannya sendiri dan mendapatkan polis asuransi jiwa senilai $500.000, Woo memulai serangkaian petualangan yang tidak biasa dan tidak konvensional. Saat kebebasan baru Woo memungkinkannya untuk bersikap jujur secara brutal kepada pemilihnya, dia mengadopsi ritme dan bahasa musik hip-hop, yang sangat mengejutkan orang-orang di sekitarnya. Dengan kepercayaan diri dan rasa kebebasan yang baru, Woo mulai berbicara dengan jujur kepada penguasa, mengatasi keluhan lama dan menantang status quo di Washington D.C. Keterusterangan Woo yang tanpa kompromi awalnya membuat tim kampanyenya, termasuk ajudannya yang setia, Sidney Miller (Oliver Platt), tercengang dan bingung. Namun, seiring kata-kata Woo bergema di masyarakat dan popularitasnya mulai melonjak, ia mendapati dirinya berselisih dengan partainya sendiri dan politisi kejam yang telah lama mendapat untung dari sistem tersebut. Saat Woo menavigasi lanskap baru ini, ia menjalin ikatan yang tidak mungkin dengan seorang wanita Afrika-Amerika muda, Nina (Halle Berry), yang kecerdasan tajam dan sikap tanpa basa-basinya menantangnya untuk menghadapi kompleksitas rasisme dan ketidaksetaraan sosial. Melalui percakapan mereka, Woo dipaksa untuk menghadapi bias dan keterbatasannya sendiri, yang pada akhirnya mengarah pada momen introspeksi yang transformatif. Sepanjang perjalanan Bulworth, sutradara Warren Beatty membahas isu-isu penting seperti reformasi keuangan kampanye, pengendalian senjata api, dan profil rasial, menjalinnya ke dalam narasi yang menghibur dan menggugah pikiran. Dengan perpaduan cerdas antara humor, satire, dan komentar sosial, film tahun 1998 ini tetap menjadi kritik yang cerdas dan tajam terhadap sistem politik Amerika.
Ulasan
Eden
7.0/10. First time watching on Blu-ray. For Chinese audiences, it might have some unique elements, but perhaps not so much for Westerners. Halle Berry was quite beautiful when she was young, but most of the scenes in this film are at night, so it doesn't really showcase her. Warren Beatty wrote, directed, and starred in this, and it's said to be his farewell to Hollywood, so he really let loose. Perhaps it's a manifestation of a former superstar's discontent. Apparently, it was a box office bomb, haha.
Paola
Laughed from beginning to end. Bulworth finally let loose after a lifetime of simmering. Larry King's cameo was a highlight.
Zion
Definitely a fun and audacious film! That line, "Let's get the party started! Let's shout a dirty word: Socialism!" is one of the most memorable and provocative moments. It perfectly encapsulates the film's rebellious spirit and Bulworth's newfound, uncensored voice.
Zoe
A mixed bag, but Bulworth, with its clumsy hip-hop inflections, did make me laugh. It's a cathartic experience to watch a politician on the verge of a breakdown finally speak frankly about the political issues of 90s America. Let those with sacred, hypocritical faces go home and knit sweaters. Conversely, the film lacks exploration of the protagonist's character transformation, and the romance and assassination plot feel largely superfluous. It doesn't quite achieve the fierce, direct, and powerful impact of films like "Bob Roberts" or "A Face in the Crowd."
Gabriel
Under the radar of most contemporary political satires, "Bulworth" remains a poignant and fiercely relevant commentary on American politics. Warren Beatty's portrayal of a disillusioned senator who snaps and starts speaking his mind is nothing short of brilliant. The film fearlessly tackles issues of race, class, and corporate influence with a raw honesty rarely seen in mainstream cinema. While some critics dismissed it as heavy-handed or preachy, "Bulworth" possesses a scathing wit and sharp intelligence that cuts through the political platitudes. It's a film that dares to challenge the status quo and provoke uncomfortable conversations, making it a truly unique and enduring work. The film's exploration of authenticity versus political expediency resonates even more strongly today, making it a must-see for anyone disillusioned with the current political landscape. See it before it disappears.
Talia
Warren Beatty's "Bulworth" is a razor-sharp satire that combines hip-hop swagger with biting social commentary. As the titular senator, Beatty delivers a tour-de-force performance, using his newfound candor to expose the hypocrisy of modern politics and the racism that underlies it. The film's unflinching honesty and scathing wit make for a wildly entertaining and thought-provoking ride, even if its tone sometimes veers into unevenness. Despite its flaws, "Bulworth" remains a bold and incisive critique of American society that still resonates today.
