Richard Dreyfuss Slams "W" Movie, Calls Oliver Stone A Fascist (VIDEO)

Richard Dreyfuss appeared on "The View" to publicize "W.," in which he plays Dick Cheney, but ended up criticizing the film and director Oliver Stone instead.

When asked why he made the film, he said he did it for "money." Dreyfuss also said, "I think it's 6/8ths of a great film."

Asked how it was to work with Oliver Stone, he said "imagine working for Sean Hannity... you can be a fascist, even when you're on the left."

He also said he isn't sure the film "will have any historical legs."

That and more pointed criticism in the clip below, with a bonus awkward moment at the end.

WATCH:

Comments

[jmundstuk]

Interesting take on Bush; empathetic, yes; acting including Dreyfuss is great with a couple of exceptions. Stone suggests that Bush's conversion was politically-motivated at least in part, or that he was aware that it wouldn't hurt politically. That's particularly interesting.

[dlrdmd1]

Hmm, did the movie make much money? If is a good one, he should have made a pile of money. Hey, let me know, O. Stone is a icon, in his imagination. He should have made Dora, the Explorer, she got more hype than his movie...

[Bettysdad]

Intelligent people know there's no connection between quality and money in the movies.

Usually quite the opposite.

Think "Beverly Hills Chihuahua."

[CharlesSolomon]

If Lionsgate produces "Gorgeous", the flipside comedy of "W", I think there will be serious international
box office attendance and, more importantly, a huge amount of good healing laughter.
President Gorgeous Rush, Vice President Derk Chainsaw and Secretary of state Candy Roll are
three Uproarious characters and the story is a page turner. Go Lionsgate!!!!
Charles Solomon

[Absintheforall]

What fresh gibberish is this?

[NALTC]

In reading only one page of comments, it's clear only a couple (mainly HoneyLouise) understood Richard Dreyfuss's comments. Those who think Dreyfuss’ interview should be filed under entertainment are missing the substance of his comments. His personality traits aside, Dreyfus probably wanted the film to strike a more authentic note, to reflect more the toxic climate Bush’s presidency, policies and “men” have created over the last 8 years. Stone was probably striving for that authenticity; Dreyfuss was simply saying that Stone fell short. Dreyfus takes his work seriously, though he says he did the film ‘for the money”. The comments here generally reveal American's incredible inability to discuss culture seriously.. Those who believe that “biting the hands that feed you” is wrong probably know less about history and democracy than Dreyfuss. Dreyfuss and Stone both know Voltaire’s 18th Century statement is vital to democracy: “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.” Stone should welcome and encourage Dreyfuss’ comments.

You don’t need to go to the election central to see the disturbing winds at play in the election. The signs are right here, in people’s intolerance of ideas, critical thinking and the right to critical analysis and commentary, even of those we work with. Dreyfuss’ comments are not fear-based. Listening to Dreyfuss is listening to an Obama type reasoning. Reading these comments is like seeing how the McCain side misinterprets them.

[t0msman]

NALTC - Thank you for your post. It is very refreshing to see a post like yours that is actually a well-thought out piece. I agree with everything you said and my only wish is that I could be half as eloquent as you.

[siney]

i so agree...but let's not sweep everyone under the same blanket...i'm a proponent of critical thinking and rather fond of real dialogue, but even i must admit it's hit and miss for me..sometimes all i can muster after a long day is a dagger or two and at other times i'm much more thoughtful in my own posts....

i recall dreyfuss debating at oxford during the 92 election, i think?...it was on C-Span....and he was marvelous...witty, irascible, seductive, shrewd, nuanced, gracious, combative, very complex... just as he was in this snippet from The View... i haven't seen W yet, but am looking forward to it....i find stone to be as arresting as dreyfuss -- loved, loved, loved his film Nixon, anthony hopkins was superb....but am looking forward to W so that i can reconcile my impressions with dreyfuss's comments...i'm sure he'll talk in greater depth on the film and stone in other interviews....

[CharlesSolomon]

Yes, I think R.Dreyfus did it for the money, certainly not the meaning of the film, of there is any.
Certainly not funny like the hilarious "W" flipside comedy "Gorgeous", which Lionsgate has and just
might produce.
Charles Solomon

[DoctorWhoDat]

He should be greatfull to Oliver Stone for giving him a job

[mphalen]

I guess he's planning to retire from acting.

[scordsdu]

Dreyfuss said, "you can be a fascist, even when you're on the left." This guy is hittin a bullseye! I don't know what would be worse, Stalin or Hitler! 17 or 6 million dead.

[Absintheforall]

I agree with you, or at least 6/17 of what you said.

[HoneyLouise]

As someone who works in the film business, and whose husband knows both Richard Dreyfuss and Oliver Stone (I interviewed with Stone once, but don't know him except from seeing him jogging!), I think RIchard was being honest and insightful, and was NOT dissing the film at all. 3/4 great film is a compliment, although if you are used to having actors do publicity for the film, they must always say "It's such a great movie!!!" whether they think it or not! I agree with his evaluation -- I enjoyed the film, but the ending was.. hmmm... open-ended??? Oliver Stone is known to be a controversial passionate director, doesn't always get along with his actors, to put it mildly, but that doesn't mean they hate each other. Both Richard and Oliver are opinionated and professional, and I can see them clashing on set. Richard is pretty intense and serious about his craft. I wouldn't use the word easygoing for either of them. Didn't find this interview shocking at all, but found it interesting. I wish they would have let him speak and stop interrupting him! He loves history, particularly American History, and he is a pretty liberal Democrat.

[invisible]

i enjoyed the movie. but i do agree with richard dreyfuss' take. it does completely omit the public reaction from its presentation. elizabeth hasselbeck is still stupid.

[siney]

speaking of daggers....yes, she is :)

dreyfuss is brilliant...can't wait to see the movie...

[mara150]

I think W was pretty balance in showing Bush as a " guy you would want to have a beer with", a son who could never win dad's approval - I think that is the reality of the man as well as the harm he has done - I think it is who he is....his "narrative" if you will.

Scariest part of the film, for me, was when he was running for Governor, and told his bud Karl Rove that he would do anything, including "reading the whole Constitution" to win.

My favorite part of the clip is actually when EH chimes in with her perky self, "I would love to work for Sean Hannity" Sean, she is available. Please take her!

[darker]

Richard Dreyfuss' LATEST PUBLICITY STUNT!
this is SO OBVIOUS, IT'S LAUGHABLE! !

[ObamaEdwards]

It's innocuous. And he's entitled to an opinion about the film he's in. So what.

[Boringat]

He's sure aged a lot since "Pretty Woman".

[otm]

Not sure if you were making a joke or not, but Richard Dreyfuss wasn't in Pretty Woman. That was Jason Alexander.

[killswitch667]

lol

[newhouse1]

too funny. the site you need to reference is imdb.comm) for future movie who's who info.

[cooperone]

Must be "type" casting for Dreyfuss. Wasn't he cast as Bob Rumsfeld in The American President?
Always the power mongering, desperate Republican leader wanting to further himself or his cause.
The good news is that his answer regarding money was at least sincere. Bet he doesn't get hired again by Stone.

[Clare53]

Wow, I was embarrassed to watch that. I've never seen the View before. Dreyfus is very self important and I couldn't understand why people were laughing away when he wasn't funny. Three of the View women seemed generally pretty stupid and Whoopie Goldberg should know better.