In support
of his latest book at the time (Downsize This! Random Threats
from an Unarmed American), Michael Moore went on a rather
unconventional book tour. Visiting cities across the US to
promote his book, Moore also took the opportunity to pay
unexpected and unwelcome visits to large corporations that had
recently laid-off workers in large numbers after posting huge
profits. The Big One is Moore’s quest to find an executive
to answer one question: “If Fortune-500 companies are posting
record-setting profits, why do they continue laying off thousands
of workers?” Like his book however, the move meanders into and
out of several other topics, including the possibility of hanging
out with the lead guitarist from Cheap Trick and whether Steve
Forbes is an alien.
CRITIQUE
The Big One
isn’t really a project in the same sense as Moore’s other films, and
it’s not quite a documentary of his book tour or an extended episode
of TV Nation either. It’s kind of a mishmash of all three,
following him on his book tour and to the offices of major
corporations that taken their jobs elsewhere for cheaper labor. Moore
tries to find an executive who will talk to him about the rationale
behind layoffs during good financial times for these companies, avoid
his media escorts from Random House, and if nothing else, give out
“Downsizer of the Year” awards. On his way up to see one CEO with a
giant check for eighty cents (to pay the first Mexican worker at the
new plant, he says), and he acts stunned when told he is told to
leave, as if he were being prevented from delivering a dozen roses.
Despite Moore’s
sometimes superficial jibes (the “Steve Forbes doesn’t blink” joke was
pretty thin to begin with) and his propensity to play a bit loose with
the facts, I still think his films are worth watching. Some have said
that he “Ambushes” people and that isn’t fair. Hogwash. If nothing
else, take this from The Big One: No executive was willing to
give any concrete or detailed reason on why workers loyal to their
company were laid off in favor of cheap labor. The best that anyone
comes up with is “We had to remain competitive.” I guess there were
some pretty good indications that made these companies think they
might suddenly tank after posting great profits unless they suddenly
downsized or moved jobs outside the US. Funny though, nobody mentions
any of these reasons.
And that in a
nutshell is the most important part of Moore’s work. Question it,
check the facts, and second-guess everything, but also take note that
he’s one of the few people who will question, check, and second-guess
the drone of corporate marketing rather than take it at face value.
At his best, he is the one dredging up embarrassing details that are
otherwise kept hidden by a slew of cleverly worded marketing and shady
public relations practices. At his worst, he tells his story the way
he wants it to be rather than the way it really is.
The Big One
has some of Moore’s best work and one of the biggest names (Phil
Knight) he’s gotten on camera in any of his films. Unfortunately
Moore’s best sequence is the exposure of the lies a store manager
tells him, and it isn’t particularly relevant to his theme (though it
is extremely funny). The interviews with Phil Knight are also less
than satisfying, as these are the only times when he gets more than
the generic “We have to stay competitive” response. As shocking as I
find the attitudes of people like Knight to never consider negative
externalities, he at least gets credit for having the guts to agree to
an interview and for being honest.
THE VIDEO
The Big One
is presented in 1.33:1 fullscreen. The segments of this film were
mostly shot from the hip while trying to catch expressions of
disbelief as various corporate representatives were confronted with
Moore presenting things like a “Downsizer of the Year Award” or a
giant check for eighty cents. The video is frequently blurry in these
sequences, while the taped standup bits are markedly better.
THE AUDIO
The Big One
is presented in Dolby Digital Surround. For all the lack of video
quality, the audio is quite clear. You can even hear the muffled
words of a manager at the closed Payday plant in Centralia, Illinois,
say that the plant would not have closed if the company hadn’t done as
well.
EXTRAS
The original
trailer for the film is the only extra on the disc. And it’s
bad. Moore breaks into a boardroom full of haughty millionaires
lighting cigars with $100 bills and makes like the populist equivalent
of a “Man in Black” to save mankind. At least it’s short.
I would have
liked to see the uncut version of the interview with Phil Knight
instead of just bits and pieces from the film. Or even just the video
sequence in which Steve Forbes supposedly doesn’t blink. Both would
have been welcome extras on a disc like this, but no dice.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Almost a
continuation of Roger and Me, The Big One doesn’t have
the same great material as Moore’s first film, but it’s even more “Fly
by the seat of your pants,” (as one escort described his book tour).
Moore’s trademark pranks and ambushes are all over the film, but
usually they don’t amount to very much, other than being kicked out of
a corporate headquarters. The commentary from the manager at the
Payday plant in Centralia, Illinois is classic though, and the
interview with Knight is a genuine surprise. If you like Moore’s
films, The Big One could be considered Roger and Me Lite—some
good material, but not nearly as memorable as his other films.
