Today I watched a documentary film, Capitalism: A Love
Story, directed, produced, and written by Michael Moore. If someone decides to tell me that this wasn't a documentary, well, to that I say, whatever. The subject of the
film is the effect of capitalism has on our society, and what Americans have
done and can do to stop those in the upper class and government from further
worsening America’s situation to their benefit. The film takes a very anti-rich
stance in general, and seeks to inspire Americans to fight back and regain what
is theirs, whether it is property, wealth, or rights.
The documentary uses a mixture of live-action footage,
broadcasts from earlier years, and interview segments to make its point. It is
clear in certain live-action segments as well that the reactions from observers
and Moore himself are on the spot, enhancing the films legitimacy.
Moore tries to emphasize the situation many middle and lower
class Americans are in. This includes shots of people being evicted from their
homes, demolished factories, rotting homes, and the homeless.
There isn’t much live footage of the rich that’s meant to
evoke a feeling of injustice. This is done in other ways.
There are plenty of voice-overs from Michael Moore himself
throughout the film, in order to clarify certain points, present information,
and add power to the images shown. Sometimes he speaks on the subject of the
shots, other times he comments on reactions, old footage, pictures, etc. in
order to give more information than the interviews and live footage provides.
The interviews vary from being very lengthy and drawn out to
being shown for only a few quick seconds with the interviewee only commenting
on an issue related to the footage shown. This is done to keep the feeling of
suspense or drama inherent with the footage. Some of the interviews appear to
have been filmed spontaneously, with Moore and his film crew approaching random
people around Capitol Hill and Wall Street. Mainly, he interviews people of the
working class and those in the government who are disgusted with the situation
of the American economy. Moore does this in order to give the audience a
perspective on current events and draw out a reaction by interviewing those who
have been affected by corporations’ wrongdoing.
One thing I found very unique about this film was the use of
old footage from previous decades, old commercials, and videos filmed elsewhere
in order to make a point. For example, at one point there is a showing of
former president Bush’s address to the people about the upcoming depression,
with the backdrop of the white house slowly crumbling and bursting into flame
in order to show how he was fear mongering to the American people.
Yup/
Moore uses a variety of interviewing styles when talking to
people. Sometimes he is nowhere in the interview, and asks the questions off camera;
at some points people are turned away for anonymity, but most show their faces.
Other times he is talking to people in a variety of environments, like in front
of government buildings, walking along the sidewalk next to an abandoned
factory, etc.
He doesn’t seem to compose his shots, at least not for the
majority of the film. Only for establishing shots does he put particular
attention to positioning of objects. There is little use of focus or any other
tool at any point beyond the aforementioned shots.
All in all, I find this film to be very effective in
achieving its goal, to inspire those in America to protest against the actions
of the upper class and the government. The use of humor, a variety of
interviewees, old footage and speeches, comparisons to older times and
situations, along with a choice of music meant to instill sadness, is perfect
in doing so.
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