Money Matters, Simplified.
Michael Moore’s latest documentary takes on capitalism
by Jaspreet Kaur - September 7, 2009 - comments
Michael Moore declares open war on the capitalist system through his latest documentary
Venice, September 7 -- “Capitalism: A Love Story”, the latest two-hour offering from documentary maker Michael Moore, announces his battle against capitalism. And how!
The film, which premiered this Sunday at the Venice Film Festival, makes a strong statement against the prevailing capitalist organizations.
Claiming that capitalism is responsible for widening the rich-poor gap, 55-year old Moore unleashes an open attack opposing it. The film bears the stamp of his trademark humor and combines it beautifully with heart-rending individual tales.
The movie sums it up, “Capitalism is an evil, and you cannot regulate evil. You have to eliminate it and replace it with something that is good for all people and that something is democracy.”
Film deals with myriad issues
The film is Moore’s take on the global economic meltdown that was triggered by the collapse of brokerage firm Lehman Bros. last year. But he does not limit the film to the normal blood-sucking bankers to put forward the point against capitalism.
The movie explores issues such as employee productivity that goes unnoticed, vultures whose livelihood depends upon foreclosed homes, not to forget the tales of horror emanating from a private youth correctional service in Pennsylvania.
Critical analysis
Moore’s “Sicko” was a much more brilliant piece of work and “Capitalism: A Love Story” does not match up to those standards in its collective strength. It is also very unlikely that the documentary film will be at par with “Fahrenheit 9/11” as far as its political influence is concerned.
Nevertheless, this piece of work by Moore is his magnum opus. It reinforces his belief that huge businesses are making life tough for the guy who does so much of hard-work, while government conspires in the cruelty.
At the end of the movie, Moore says, “I refuse to live in a country like this- and I’m not leaving.”
Moore’s documentary films have always been among the highest grossers in history because they are relevant populist entertainments.
But the important thing to ask here is whether “Capitalism: A Love Story” will make people sit up and take notice and, more importantly, act? Or they will just appreciate the film and go back home and forget all about it.
The much anticipated film opens all over the United States on Oct. 2, while in Los Angeles and New York on Sept. 23.