brainwagon

I must admit, I’m a bit of a fluff movie-goer. I go to movies to be entertained, not to learn. When I wish to learn, I read books, news, or even the Internet. I don’t see many documentary or independent films.

I’m also not an enormous Michael Moore fan. I find some of his work to be heavy handed and manipulative. He’s does have an agenda, and it’s usually good to not forget that.

Tonight, I took my wife and my son to see Fahrenheight 9/11. If you haven’t heard about this movie, I can only ask what hole you’ve been living in, but I’ll merely say that it is Moore’s documentary on how the Bush White House has manipulated the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy and continues to market the war in Iraq as a necessary step to fight global terrorism.

Make no mistake: Moore isn’t unbiased. He’s not trying to portray both sides of the issues as regards Bush or Iraq. It would be false to claim otherwise. Moore makes no serious attempt to interview people of an opposing viewpoint or to explain the situation in Iraq through their eyes. If you are a staunch Bush supporter, you’re probably not going to like this movie.

But in most respects I think Moore is even handed in his criticism. While there are scenes which are undoubtably designed to evoke visceral, emotional responses, I think overall he reins in the desire to score only cheap shots and focuses on a number of problems which cannot be easily brushed aside.

Anything I could say about this movie would be weaker and redundant to actually seeing the film. I’ll say this: it’s good, and it’s important. Go see it. Think about it. Talk about it.