Fans of Michael Moore’s Sicko (2007), Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), Bowling for Columbine (2002), and Roger and Me (1989), won’t be disappointed with his newest cinematic expose, Capitalism: A Love Story. Moore’s critics won’t be disappointed either. All the standard elements of a Michael Moore film blend into this love-it or hate-it documentary on corporate America.
Michael Moore Includes Archival Footage
Continuing his earlier examinations of how corporate America affects the middle class, this time Moore looks specifically at the links between corporations, politics, and capitalism. The results aren’t pretty. First, he shows people robbing banks, and then banks robbing people as breadwinners lose their jobs, families get evicted from their homes, and corporations get rich off the death of employees (also known as Dead Peasants Insurance). His research even leads Moore to revisit his hometown of Flint, Michigan, site of his first film, Roger and Me.
In his usual manner of approaching a subject from many interesting angles, Moore includes archival footage to make his point and sometimes to add levity, as in the case of re-dubbing an actor portraying Jesus Christ to have him spout capitalistic views. He includes research that reveals how in America 14,000 jobs are lost daily while one percent of the population grows richer. Moore also offers analogies including a comparison of how America, like the ancient Roman Empire, is headed for a major decline.
A New Look at Capitalism
Capitalism: A Love Story presents tragic examples of the struggling middle class, using highly sympathetic people from around the country who have lost family members only to see corporate America benefit from their losses. Whatever a viewer’s politics, it’s difficult not to be affected by these suffering survivors.
And like his earlier films, Moore resorts to occasional potshots at beloved political figures (including Ronald Reagan, whom he claims started the downfall of America by becoming the highest elected spokesmodel) and some flamboyant showboating (such as marking the area with crime scene tape and trying to make a citizen’s arrest outside the offices of AIG).
While the film offers a new look at capitalism and provides many ideas to think about, for better or worse, it’s the same old Michael Moore – clever, informed, persistent, and biased.
Capitalism: A Love Story
- This serious, though sometimes amusing, look at corporate America examines how greed and corruption have enabled the minority of rich to become richer and the majority of middle class and poor to become poorer.
- Director: Michael Moore
- Writer: Michael Moore
- Run Time: 127 minutes
- Rating: R (for some language)
To play Michael Moore’s “Money to Burn” game, visit the official website for Capitalism: A Love Story.
Leslie C. Halpern - Leslie C. Halpern, Romantic Films/Comedies Topic Editor, authored Passionate About Their Work, Reel Romance, & Dreams on Film.
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