REVIEW: ‘Capitalism: A Love Story’

The opening sequence of “Capitalism: A Love Story” includes a compilation of robbery footage from bank security cameras set to an Iggy Pop tune. Director Michael Moore likens today’s United States to Ancient Rome, while splicing footage of a bad 1950s film with current news footage.

“Capitalism: A Love Story” Rated R • 120 minutes Directed by: Michael Moore RCC Rating: Worth Seeing At A Matinee

We first met Moore as a poorly-dressed chubby man taking on the CEO of General Motors in 1989′s “Roger & Me”, which became known as one of the best documentaries of our time and was an inspiration for the bible of the pre-Tarantino indie film movement entitled “Spike, Mike, Slackers & Dykes.” In so many ways, “Capitalism: A Love Story” is the sequel to “Roger & Me.” Moore’s projects in between have experienced high praise as well as criticism – both of which were well-deserved.

The film contains plenty of Moore’s trademark manipulative victim interviews with dirt poor families, which garnered tears in those around me in the audience. “Capitalism: A Love Story” communicated clearly that our current economy is hurting the working poor. However, the movie did not effectively communicate how any of this has affected Moore’s target audience: the middle class, who are arguably impacted the most by the current crisis. An interview with Mike’s father could have been the most touching part of the film but was, instead, a walk down memory lane with a kind retired man.

The most brilliant aspect of the film is that Moore, a Christian himself, in essence ‘takes back’ Christianity from the Right Wing. The first example of this was the use of the classic foot-in-mouth footage of Senator Phil Gramm stating that Wall Street is a Holy place, a valid suggestion that much of America has turned their eyes from God and toward money. Moore interviews priests and bishops who claim that Jesus would likely not agree with American capitalism. He artfully balanced these opinions with those of leading intellectuals and economists.

Regardless of your political views, pay attention to his important message. Predatory lenders are bribing Congress. Wall Street is a casino for the rich. America is not a democracy. Speaking strictly on the merits of the film, on a scale of ten, though, I give the message an eleven but the film only a six. I applaud Moore’s bravery and common sense which can be summed up in his final line in the film “I refuse to live in a country like this – and I’m not leaving.” However, there was not enough original footage in the film that is not already viewed legally on YouTube to warrant a glowing review.