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Warren Beatty, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Oliver Platt, Paul Sorvino ... see more see more... , Jack Warden , Isaiah Washington , Joshua Malina , Christine Baranski , Richard C. Sarafian , Amiri Baraka , Sean Astin , Laurie Metcalf , Wendell Pierce , Michèle Morgan , Ariyan Johnson , Graham Beckel , Nora Dunn , Jackie Gayle , George Furth , Helen Martin

Warren Beatty directed, co-produced (with Pieter Jan Brugge), co-scripted (with Jeremy Pikser), and stars in this political satire, a comedy drama about a U.S. senator who decides to start speaking th... read more read more...e truth. Despondent California senator Jay Bulworth (Beatty), up for re-election, is disillusioned by the usual campaign banalities; his marriage to Constance (Christine Baranski) seems equally hollow. In the midst of a nervous breakdown, Bulworth goes without sleep or food for three days and takes out a ten-million-dollar insurance policy on himself while arranging his own assassination. Drinking during a return to Los Angeles, Bulworth is scheduled to speak at an African-American church in South Central L.A. Once there, he tosses aside his prepared speech, startling both the audience and his campaign manager, Murphy (Oliver Platt), by improvising truthful remarks instead of the familiar rhetoric. These loose-cannon salvos gain the attention of an attractive young woman, Nina (Halle Berry). Bulworth finds an exhilaration with this new freestyle approach, and after shocking a gathering in Beverly Hills with further fulminations, Bulworth invites Nina and her girlfriends into his limo. During a spaced-out sojourn at one of South Central's more frenzied after-hours clubs, Bulworth gains respect for hip-hop culture.Still reeling from insights gained by this nightlife, he arrives the next day for a fundraising function at the Beverly Wilshire, startling everyone with a diatribe delivered in the intonations of a rap artist. His interest in Nina and his new optimistic outlook on life give Bulworth a sense of elation and a will to live. He phones to call off the hit, but the gears have been set in motion. After an assumed hitman turns up during a church appearance, Bulworth flees, and Nina offers him a safe-house hideout at the home of her family, veterans of the civil rights movement. Here Bulworth goes through the final steps in his transformation -- making a Kennedy-styled connection with the disenfranchised as he tunes in to forgotten memories of the '60s. Outfitted in homeboy clothing, the born-again Bulworth heads for a TV station to unleash even more caustic comments on the American political scene. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Flixster Users

59% liked it

19,465 ratings

Critics

75% liked it

63 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Warren Beatty

Release Date: May 22, 1998

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DVD Release Date: March 16, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (642)

  • Tomassgringo
    November 29, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    A decent social/political satire.
  • jarobb3
    September 13, 2010
    jarobb3
    One of my all time favorite movies ever. Engaging characters, great humor, and poignant political satire (if you listening closely to Warren Beatty's raps).
  • djdemersseman
    January 21, 2008
    djdemersseman
    Simultaneously very silly and poignant. It's like Chris Rock or Robin Williams trying to make a satirical, humorous political film, only it came out much sooner.

    A great cast and crew, but it seems just a bit too stereotypical for a movie so bent on destroying stereotypes.
  • mjgildea
    October 25, 2006
    mjgildea
    Ehhh...
  • DrZeek
    October 7, 2006
    DrZeek
    Bulworth is basically having a midlife crisis and decides to have himself assassinated. Because of this, he doesn't have to care about anything, so he starts to tell things like they are to everyone. At first it's shocking, but then people accept it and embrace. Meanwhile, Bulwor... read moreth has taken a liking to black culture and channels his energy through that. The supporting cast fits well, and Warren Beatty is great. He wrote, directs, stars, and raps in this movie and it's hilarious.
  • fb20312798
    November 1, 2007
    fb20312798
    One of the braver comedies I have seen. It takes a lot of risks and succeeds and fails in many regards. I think Warren Beatty gives a terrific performance in this film, as does Oliver Platt as his campaign manager. There are some hilarious moments, likes the scene where Beatty tr... read moreies to operate a car with hydrolics. Unfortunatley The writing flounders at times, for a movie that seems to be challengeing a lot of political norms it views many things as black and white, which is far too simplistic. But I liked the film overall esspecially the ending where two infamous photographs are recreated.
  • BlueTorch
    April 21, 2006
    BlueTorch
    I love the opening scene. Tons of personality, completely captivating, and it all comes from a simple presence; a politician decides to start telling the truth. The opening scene still gives me chills.
  • Lemure
    July 1, 2009
    Lemure
    Great idea - politician has a nervous breakdown and starts telling the truth, which makes him popular with the voters and unpopular with everyone else. Sadly they try too hard, chuck in waaay too many subplots (him becoming "black" never really works) and push it until it collaps... read morees in on itself and at the end it fizzles out where there should be a big bang. Platt is completely brilliant though. Man Of The Year with Robin Williams did a better job.
  • jimbotender
    November 6, 2008
    jimbotender
    What a thrilling...bore...Ha,it could've been so much better.The ludicrous policy of the constitutional personas in and out of the socialite isn't Beatty's forte.Come to think of it he strides his way alongside those people he attempts to mock and he marginally declines to denude... read more them.Stripping your glove doesn't make you Rita Haywarth...
  • acenate
    July 16, 2008
    acenate
    Awkward. Not really funny, totally unsubtle and the idea of Warren Beatty rapping is distracting outlandish. I'm pretty sure he only made this movie to hook up with Halle Berry.

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Critic Reviews

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

What gives Bulworth its unique character is that all this silliness is periodically punctuated by cogent, carefully thought-out mini-manifestos... Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Bulworth works, with both urbanity and chutzpah, by viewing political puppeteering with an all-purpose jaundiced eye. Full Review

Charles Taylor
January 1, 2000
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

As writer, director and star, Beatty flails all over the screen, but he's also made the only recent political satire that draws blood. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
January 1, 2000
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

A shrewd political observer for decades, Beatty has fashioned a hilarious morality tale that delivers a surprisingly potent, angry message beneath the laughs. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Bulworth is an angry movie, but Beatty is savvy enough to recognize that people respond better to comedies than serious "issue films," so he has camouflaged his message beneath the surface of this ori... Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Bulworth plays like a cry of frustrated comic rage. It's about an archetypal character who increasingly seems to stand for our national mood: the guy who's fed up and isn't going to take it anymore. Full Review

Heather Boerner
December 18, 2010
Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media

Smug but fun political satire for adults only. Full Review

Michael Dequina
April 2, 2009
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Manages to courageously and seriously address political issues head-on while remaining a funny and entertaining romp. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
August 11, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

A liberal call to action -- a satire driven by equal parts disgust and hope. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

It's a sharp, brave movie, a little ragged around the edges, but that's to its advantage. Full Review

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Bulworth Trivia

  • Name the actor who starred in these films: Lake Placid Dr. Doolittle (remake) Bulworth Benny and June Bicentennial Man  Answer »
  • Heaven Can Wait Dick Tracy Bugsy Bulworth Ishtar What Actor/Actress has been in all these movies??   Answer »
  • What movie did Warren Beatty not have an off camera relationship with his female co-star?  Answer »
  • Name the movie in which Warren Beatty raps.  Answer »
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