Recently I watched the new Michael Moore documentary ... twice. Once by myself, and then once with Diane a few days later. It is an extremely powerful and moving film, and one that I'm very glad I saw. Say what you will about Michael Moore ... but I don't think you can say he makes bad movies. They are interesting, and entertaining, and this one might be the best one I've seen yet. (I've seen two others: Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine). My complaints about the movie are few, but here's a couple. The first is that the weakest part of the movie is the first segment with the couple that is forced to move in with their children. First of all, it seems really weird for the family to go through this tough time in their lives right in front of the camera. Maybe it's just me, but I'd hate to have that sort of thing recorded by a family camcorder let alone a major movie producer. What made me feel more uncomfortable yet was the way the people were reacting to their parents moving in with them. Where's the love? The parents are going through likely the most difficult time of their lives and it didn't seem like their kids were very supportive.

The other complaint I had was that Michael Moore seemed to paint the rosiest picture of the Canadian health care system. On the one hand, I can see why -- the American public should be made aware that the Canadian system does work to a certain extent. But it sure isn't perfect. Of course, I totally prefer what we've got to what they've got...

Other than that, the movie was really strong. One point in particular struck home with me when Moore was interviewing former British MP Tony Benn. Tony made a point about how an educated, confident and healthy nation is harder to govern. But it also gives the power to the people because a nation that is educated, confident and healthy is capable of standing up to the government. In the states, it seems that everything is headed in the other direction: education is dropping, health is dropping, and the public is being scared by the threat of ... well everything. If the US is going to change dramatically, people are going to have to gain these three things to stand up against the government and its wrongdoing and see if things can get changed for the better. God I hope so ... but I'm not holding my breath.

Heraldk