Considering the growing criticism and some may say firestorm about the current Presidency's actions before, during and after the Sept 11th attacks, the sluggish economy and the United States' involvement in Iraq (including the prison torture issues, growing insurgency and recent kidnappings and beheadings), the last thing President Bush probably wants to face is Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11." In fact, it may have the President quoting or at least paraphrasing the old saying about needing that "like another hole in my head."
After all, the award-winning documentary filmmaker who last bashed fear-inspiring media, Charlton Heston, the NRA and many Republicans in "Bowling For Columbine" has made no bones about how he feels about the Bush Administration. This film, to some extent, is his cinematic means of assassinating the Presidency, and it will obviously divide viewers as easily as it's already generated plenty of controversy.
Whether it sways viewers' opinions about the incumbent or the pending election is yet to be seen, but I don't think it will have much effect in influencing hardliners on either side or even those labeled as fence-sitters. Conservatives will chalk this up as yet another manipulative effort from a conspiracy-minded leftist, while liberals will agree with what they already believe to be true. In essence, it's a two-hour bit of preaching to the already converted choir.
Starting with the contested 2000 Presidential election and continuing through the 9/11 attacks, the introduction of the Patriot Act, the war in Afghanistan and then Iraq and its repercussions, Moore points out the various flaws he sees in the Administration and the President himself. More damaging, however, are Moore's claims and presented evidence that boil down to money driving the administration. The allegations that it's all tied back into the Saudis and, more telling, the Bin Laden family, is what's most striking and potentially worrisome to Bush and his team.
While a liberal's first inclination might be to say "I knew it," one must remember that it's not above Moore to manipulate the facts to further his own agenda. Whether it's taking such facts and figures out of context, adding musical cues and songs to drive home his point or coming up with his own conclusions, one must take what's presented here with a great deal of salt or at least an advisory/disclaimer.
For instance, while I agree with some of his points, Moore shows pre-war Iraq as a happy place with kids playing and flying kites, etc... While I'm sure that occurred, there's no footage or mention of the horrible effects of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship over his people or the documented vast murder sprees. I don't say that to defend those accused in the film, but rather to point out that things are obviously one-sided.
His supporters may argue that he's presenting such "evidence" with tongue firmly planted in cheek -- as if everyone will understand he's purposefully going over the top to prove his point. Yet, if he wants this to be a true documentary and not just a seemingly paranoid character and administration assassination attempt, things should be a bit more balanced and fair.
Of course, he's free to make whatever sort of film he wants, and his past efforts have similarly been fueled by his own agenda. Yet the likes of "Bowling" and "Roger and Me" had enough of an entertainment factor to them that one somewhat forgave the excesses and biases.
There is some humor present here -- and some truly funny moments -- but not enough to offset or at least temper the obvious agenda. The result is an intriguing experience where you can't help but keep wondering what parts are true, which are manipulated for the desired effect, and if any are outright lies or falsehoods.
That will be up to the political and historical experts out there to sort out (although I'm sure there will be no consensus among the warring bodies), but as a piece of filmmaking, the results aren't as entertainingly eye-opening as Moore's previous works.
That said, there are various powerful and even moving moments. From the obligatory 9/11 material (that thankfully doesn't show the buildings being hit or falling but instead simply uses the audio of that followed by visuals of New Yorkers' shock) to disturbing war-related visuals and various interviews with average Americans, the film delivers some powerful punches.
The most effective is footage of a pro-military mother (a self-professed conservative Democrat) who must deal with the death of her son as a soldier in Iraq. As she reads his last letter to her, you can't help but be moved and question how long the U.S. will be over there and how many more sons and daughters won't be coming back home.
As in "Bowling For Columbine," Moore basically boils everything down to fear and the Administration's use of that to keep the social status quo intact. Yet, whereas that was an interesting and novel theory in that film, here it feels recycled and lacks the same impact as the first time around.
Moore's obviously allowed to continue the thread, but at times it feels like he's stretching to prove his point. Some of that may be due to the lack of enough humorous filler material as in his previous efforts, but as a true documentary the film comes off feeling a bit lacking.
Only time will tell whether Moore's various allegations and claims prove to be true or not. There's no denying that he's likely stirred up a big hornet's nest and has some intriguing and interesting points. I just wish that the film didn't feel so one-sided and desperate to prove its various points and fulfill its agenda.
If you want to convince the fence-sitters and those on the other side, it's always better to go for the flies, uh, voters with honey rather than vinegar. Certainly thought-provoking and worth seeing if only to address the various issues and allegations brought up, "Fahrenheit 9/11" clearly isn't Moore's best work as a documentarian or entertainer. The film rates as a 6 out of 10.
![[Logo]](/images/screenit_logo2.jpg){kind=logo}
