Capitalism: A Love Story

source: Capitalism: A Love Story

If there ever was a revolution this film would be cited in history text books years from now for evoking class struggle in America. Needless to say, Michael Moore would also be in there, a documentary filmmaker whose influence precedes none. I can't imagine him making any more documentaries after this, this film is just the icing on the cake for his body of anti-corporate, morally based work. The themes he deals with, capitalism and greed, have ran through all his films and this last one almost feels like an accumulation, or even a final presentation of a Mooreian ideology which he has developed. Moore is at times dishonest, he is a show, I wouldn't have him politician. Yet he does it all to good reason. He fights from a moral stand point in a system which has gone out of control with greed and fear. He wants to instigate change. He wants people to rise up out of their seats and yell... "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"

I have seen all of Michael Moore's movies and recognize they come with a considerable amount of bias and theatrics. This one I found to be far more educational than his previous films. Moore educates the viewer about the recent history of capitalism and the government subsidized raping of the American taxpayer in the name of the "free market." He gives a nice criticism of mass media as well which has become more and more theatrical and less informative as the years have gone by. This may be why Americans are increasingly turning to John Stewart and Steven Colbert for their news - at least these guys acknowledge they are comedians. I digress. Take this movie with a grain of salt and appreciate the biased source. Then sit back and prepare to be revolted by the shenanigans the super rich and the government commit on a daily basis. A must see.

Sitting in a packed cinema awaiting the start of Capitalism: A Love Story I was unsure what to expect as my only experience with Michael Moore was this brilliant documentary Bowling For Columbine and this is a very different subject. From the opening minutes right through to the end I was riveted to my seat taking in the full extend of the situation that extreme capitalism had a part in causing. Moore is over-the-top in places and some of the content is more propaganda that fact but it is very interesting and makes you think about what is important in life. Capitalism isn't the root of all evil but it is certainly the cause of the some of the world's evils and the sooner people realise this the better.

Michael Moore can be an infuriating film maker. His basic trick of trying to talk to people who don't want to talk to him seems pretty stale by now, and filming people crying on camera doesn't really boost his case: people die under socialism, too. But his film about capitalism is far from without merit. Moore provides no solution to the problems of economic management; but he does ask in whose interest the economy is currently managed. The conclusion, that a capitalist economy is managed in the interests of the owners of capital, is hardly surprising; but it's notable how rarely this view is expressed in the mainstream media, which more often transmits the eternal refrain of the wealthy, that there is no alternative to protecting their money. The consequent imbalance of wealth in the U.S., where this message has been most pervasive, is especially extreme. With governments the world over now looking to make severe cuts, it's never been more important than to make sure we ask why.

The title of this film is intentionally subversive, designed to draw attention to its contents. This is not an endorsement of socialism in any way. Its a critique of capitalism with hard proof that a regulated free economy leads to poverty and chaos. Its made by someone who loves America more than most, but that relationship, like the course of all true love, never runs entirely smooth. See this if only because there are villains in America that want you to remain ignorant of the crimes it brings to light. If you are Christian, this is an updated Sermon on the Mount, more potent and true than what you will generally hear in church. This is Friar Tuck's film, not the Bishop of Nottingham's. Its also great comedy. Playing Errol Flynn to the evils of corporate America is as good as it gets in these times.

I wanted to watch this movie because I was more familiar with financial subject than some of Michael Moore's other topics (Guns, War in Iraq) I was always suspicious of him using half truths in those movies, but I didn't know enough to know for sure. Now I know his movies are basically garbage. He's extremely critical of TARP, which he portrays the taxpayer just handing over to cash to wall street. The taxpayer received just about all the tarp money back and interest, which completely destroys his argument He dumbs down to a lot of stupid, ignorant Americans. This movie is pathetic and so is the producer.

I love this man, i really do. I have all his documentaries (Except Roger and Me, which sucks, i know i have to get it sometime) and watching this new one, he hits us again with another one. He shows us just how nasty and horrible this country has turned into. It was hard for me not to cry when watching people get kicked out of their homes. It could be any of us and that is what we have to realize. Moore shows us how corrupt everything in this country has become and how we have to do something. People just can't sit back and watch other people suffer. It's not right. Moore tells it how it is and i love the fact that he does. Amazing. 10 out of 10 for Moore

Although the subject matter sounds somewhat dry, this is one of the most watchable documentaries I've had the pleasure to sit through. Right from the outstanding opening - in which life in Imperial Rome is compared to modern-day America - I knew I was in for something good. It's my first exposure to Michael Moore, and I'm going to be actively looking for the rest of his work on the strength of this. CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY brings together such topics as the recession, homelessness, greed, Wall Street and overall the power of the banks to make and break a nation in such a way that is never less than 100% engaging. Both editing and pace are near perfect; some of the actions that Moore takes are a little silly - such as the bit with the police tape - but they certainly get his point across succinctly. I look forward to seeing what else this filmmaker has turned his talents to.

Michael Moore states that he does not like what has happened to America. And,he is NOT leaving. After watching this film I see that there is only real hope for the U.S. It rests in a future generation that is capable of appreciating the "meat" in his message. They must have what used to be referred to as a conscience. They must not be money-worshipers. We are now witnessing the equation: Freedom = Money. It becomes more and more obvious that this doesn't make for a healthy, nurturing society. Moore's use of vintage footage, news-clips, on-the-scene reports of citizens experiencing the degradation of foreclosure etc., is nicely pieced together. Bravo, Mr.Moore!