'No Impact Man' review: Colin Beavan's super-sized effort at cutting consumption

October 30, 11:22 AMAtlanta Movies ExaminerRyan McNally

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As a fine upstanding citizen, I try to recycle as much as possible. But sometimes after a long day, it’s tough to muster enough energy to toss a few plates and utensils in the dishwasher, let alone wash out a recyclable aluminum can or two, with their perilous razor-sharp edges and impossible-to-reach encrusted black beans.

Author Colin Beavan, the subject of the fascinating new documentary No Impact Man, isn’t likely to sympathize with my plight. During the course of a year, he and his family gave up—in no particular order—coffee, toilet paper, take-out food, automated transportation, electricity (?!?) and much more.

Why would a reasonably sane man subject himself, his espresso-loving wife and his 2-year-old daughter to such lengths? All in the name of raising awareness about the environment, putting his liberal money where his mouth was and, OK, promoting his book about his efforts to purge himself of virtually all forms of consumption.

If No Impact Man sounds about as much fun as dining on root vegetables for three straight months, prepare to be surprised. The film alternates between inspiring against-the-odds saga, humorous folly, educational treatise and family soap opera. Even when Beavan geeks out about compost like the world’s biggest eco-nerd, No Impact Man remains entertaining, often thanks to the incredulous facial expressions and overall grounding influence of Beavan’s wife Michelle.

Directors Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein choose to focus No Impact Man solely on the Beavans rather than include talking head experts, charts and graphics, and other stylistic flourishes. The approach has its pluses and minuses, but the mostly chronological narrative is strong enough to keep the film moving briskly. A few judiciously selected shots—a low-angle image of a plastic cup rolling ominously back and forth on the sidewalk, for instance—add a welcome element of visual artistry to the proceedings.

Bloggers and reviewers have circled the film like sharks, alternately calling Beavan a fraud, egoist and shameless self-promoter. My response: Who cares? Beavan doesn’t pull any bones about wanting to spread the word about his efforts in part to sell more books. But in a society in which millions tune in every week to watch Jon & Kate, the Kardashians and assorted other D-listers clown in the name of extending their 15 minutes of fame, why beef with a guy going to extremes to see how others might better help the environment?

By wrapping an intimate story of family inside the film’s broader themes of eco-responsibility and social connection, Gabbert and Schein succeed in making No Impact Man more than another boring lecture. And naysayers aside, Beavan’s extreme efforts will likely inspire you to re-examine your daily habits. I know my days of whining about washing out the recyclables are over … but I think I’ll hold on to my toilet paper, thank you very much.

Grade: B+

No Impact Man trailer:



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No Impact Man opens in Atlanta on October 30 at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema.