Michael Moore’s 2-hours plus documentary looks at the ostensible evils of our Capitalistic system and how it clashes with true Democracy.  Utilizing some powerful, heart-wrenching examples of the suffering middle class, Moore equates the United States with Ancient Rome and suggests that, under Capitalism, this nation will, eventually, destroy itself.

CRITIQUE

Not being an avid fan of Michael Moore (My wife refused to watch the movie), I am going try not to delve into the politics of this picture, except to say that Moore makes some very compelling arguments, even though his viewpoint is somewhat skewed.

Moore’s documentary is very watchable and his antics are, at times, quite funny, particularly when he’s trying unsuccessfully to gain access to the mighty brokerage houses on Wall Street and having to deal with their security guards.

Other moments of the picture are quite touching, like when he’s interviewing couples who have been forced by the bank to move out of their family homes, or when major airline pilots tell him that their pay is so low that they are forced to supplement their incomes with food stamps.

Still other revelations are truly shocking, such as the “dead peasants’ life insurance policies that businesses like Wal-Mart take out on their employees, naming the company as sole beneficiary, or the story of the juvenile court judge in Florida who was getting kick-backs from a privately-owned reformatory for having essentially good kids incarcerated there.  [This Florida case was the inspiration for an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.]

Moore’s film is most effective when it is dealing with these anecdotes, but when he tries to blast away at the entire Capitalistic system with a shotgun approach, it does not really work and it weakens the overall impact of the picture.

Yes, there is much greed and abuse in the Capitalistic system, and these issues should and must be addressed by Congress and the Courts. 

However, the truth is that there are problems with every political system.  Yet, is there any that offers an average citizen the same opportunities for success as Capitalism?

Sorry, Michael, but you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

THE VIDEO

The Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Presentation is sharp and has no problems.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Digital 5.1 is crystal clear.

THE EXTRAS

In four 5-8 minute segments, Moore offers extended interviews with various politicians, religious leaders and economic experts who appear briefly in the film.

He also presents an extended featurette extolling the virtues of the Jimmy Carter Administration.

FINAL THOUGHT

Michael Moore’s documentary is entertaining and provocative, but watch it with a wary, critical eye.