Fahrenheit 9/11



"For the last time, the name of this documentary is not 'Super Size Me.'"

Fahrenheit 9/11 has not exactly sneaked into theaters. I did my duty and went to see it yesterday. I think it's probably the most effective movie Michael Moore has made yet, just because there a lot less of his trademark stunts and a lot more information presented. People who dismissed Bowling for Columbine (2002) on grounds of veracity will have tougher time with this film, which is based almost completely on public records and on-the-spot reporting. You can come to other conclusions for for why things happened (Why did Bush sit silently in the Sarasota classroom for at least 7 minutes after finding out America was under attack? Why did Bush's people white out James Bath's name in the military records they released?) but you can't really deny they happened. Moore presents his case (and this is his case, it's not supposed to be "fair") in a compelling and entertaining fashion.

The first section of the film is about Bush' and his family connections to the Bin Ladens and the House of Saud. I thought this was some of the best stuff in the documentary. I would suggest anyone interested in augmenting their experience go and read Bob Woodward's Plan of Attack, and pay attention to how Prince Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., acts. It amazing to see how a foreign ambassador can essentially browbeat our President on issues that put the lives of U.S. troops in danger. The second and much longer part of the movie is about our military in Iraq and at home.

Will this movie reach undecided people, as is Moore's stated intention? I'm a little skeptical. The concession line I was in before the movie started could be described as follows: Lesbian, lesbian, World Wildlife Federation t-shirt, me, Birkenstocks and beard, tie-dye shirt. What I'm saying is that there probably were not a lot of Young Republicans at the screening I saw. Perhaps after the opening weekend circus of publicity is over the audience will diversify a bit.

Posted: Sun - June 27, 2004 at      

©