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Micahel Moore: The good and the bad
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Michael Moore is a renowned filmmaker, who is known for his political views as much as he is for his films. Moore's work has caused massive amounts of controversy as well as anger among conservative viewers (Mostly). Moore is not shy when it comes to expressing his thoughts. Moore's latest film is Capitalism: A Love Story, and the film has received massive attention as well as positive reviews. Moore's filmography is one of major opinion, some effective works of film and some missteps in the career of a witty, intelligent filmmaker.
Moore was recognized with the release of his film Roger & Me, an in-depth look into a GM plant in Flint Michigan and the economic repercussions of the industry. The film was quite personal and held an obvious opinionated biasness by the filmmaker Moore. The film was effective if not informative, a passion project as Moore was born and raised in Flint.
Moore's more recent film Bowling for Columbine reinvigorated his career, and gave the filmmaker his most acclaim to date. The film went on to win the Academy Award for best documentary film. Bowling for Columbine was an intensive look into the arms industry and subsequent repercussions of a desensitized culture. Moore used sarcastic commentary and witty interviews to make his point. The humor of the film lightened the tone but the message was not lost as Moore balanced the comedic elements with genuine insight. Moore's film Sicko was a look into the health care industry and the profound effects capitalism has done to health care in America. Like Columbine, Sicko was intelligent as well as genuine. The film was a balance and effectively made the points Moore so desperately wanted to express; health should not come at such a high cost.
Moore's most highly anticipated film to date was 2004's Fahrenheit 9/11. The film was Moore's follow-up to the massively successful Bowling for Columbine. Released to a nation disillusioned by war and torn apart by an ignorant, arrogant President, Fahrenheit 9/ 11 was heralded to be Moore's masterpiece long before a final cut was released. In a word the film was disappointing. Moore let his emotions get in the way of his filmmaking. The film exploited angered families who had lost family members to war, and the tone of the film was melodramatic despite the fact the themes communicated were relevant. The somberness of the scenes and the overtly inconsiderate exploitation all equated to a film that tried to hard to express a very obvious point; Bush was a liar and wrong. Fahrenheit 9/11 could easily have been Moore's greatest film, but he simply let his ego get in the way.
Capitalism: A Love Story has been receiving some very impressive reviews. It seems Moore has returned to the kind of filmmaking that both started as well as propelled his career. Using sarcastic wit and dry sequences of humor, Moore is able to express himself fully. Without over blowing the point of the film Moore is able to convey a message, and it seems Moore has figured out how to make a successful film that is neither devoid of opinion nor overtly in the face of the viewer.
Moore is a filmmaker with a reputation. If one were to tune into Fox news they would be told Moore is a socialist, but that is because no one on that channel knows what socialism is really about nor do they understand Moore's films. Moore's entire goal in making films is to educate and lead the viewer to action. If only through consideration, any action taken by a viewer through the work of Moore is an achievement, and Moore is a filmmaker who is not perfect all the time but is talented to say the least.
To learn more about Moore log on to: www.michaelmoore.com/
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