Michael Moore is the Left wing's "shock jock" - the liberal version of the Rush Limbaugh. Oddly, he makes vast amounts of money decrying capitalism, the proceeds of which contribute to his significant personal wealth. He is a classic product of the American system of free speech and capitalism.

He fails to distinguish between capitalism and greed/corruption which is known to be just as prevalent (perhaps more so) in alternative communist regimes where the individual remains hopelessly bound to a totalitarian system.

Capitalism isn't perfect, its simply an economic system, which, like any such system, can be used by some individuals for personal gain at the expense of others. Perhaps Michael Moore is one of those who benefits greatly out of the system but does so dressed in an almost perfect disguise.

Michael Moore is free to make movies decrying the social order model under which he flourishes.

Doubtless, he would have had fewer opportunities to decry the alternative systems of social order employed in say

The former USSR
China
Cuba
North Korea

Lucky Michael, he is paid to be a hypocrite of the first order.

Doubtless, his latest movie will be as egocentrically (a voyage around Michael Moore aka “beware the butt crack”) unwatchable as is previous efforts. So I will not be adding to his capitalist wealth by paying to watch it (or even watching it if paid to do so)

Moore certainly pushes the envelope sometimes to make a point and some of his antics are reminiscent of the boyishness of a Chaser skit.

He does however make some good points which should not be lost among the slapstick gimmicks he uses. Moore may believe this is a way of driving a point home to his target audience. I often wonder who his target audience is, I suspect he is already preaching to the converted and continues to be derided by his critics.

I agree with the author, that Moore would have more effect if he cut out the gimmicks and stuck with the story. But, in saying that, I am glad Moore does what he does. Sometimes you need a Moore to showcase the worst in capitalism so we don't forget that governments have an obligation to acknowledge the greed element and factor that into policy and regulation. Capitalism will only run amok if it is allowed to, so far the experience of the GFC does not look good - maybe those in power will learn from it (we can hope).

Who knows what Moore does with his money he may be a philanthropist and donate much of his money to good causes.

He recently said that he indeed obtained funding for the film from Capitalist investors.

This illustrated the point that they will do anything to make money, even to the point of potentially denouncing and discrediting themselves.

A bit like the old quote of capitalism selling you the rope that will be used to hang itself.

An excellent review. I agree that "Moore has a knack of taking complex issues and then rephrasing them into everyday English ..." This sometimes means Moore runs the risk of dumbing down, simplifying or distorting these issues. This makes him an easy punching bag for the Right.

Moore can be entertaining, but he can also be annoying - especially for those of us on the "political left." I have no problem with a white, middle-aged US male using Hollywood-ized dramatics to attack The System. Still, I wonder: when will kudos and big-screen hype be given to the anarchists, the Aboriginal and African-American activists, the feminists, the queers, and all of those who believe that climate change is an inconvenient fact (but whose surnames aren't always 'Gore')

David

<< The one problem with this approach is that he cannot seem to gel the issues together, giving the impression that in Capitalism, he has bitten off more than he can chew. >>

I disagree with this assessment. I found the movie to be an extremely tight, cohesive and well rounded narrative. I'm not sure what issues you felt didn't gel together, but I certainly don't recall any. Moores' strength is his ability to distil a vast range of complex and interrelated issues and to present them in an entertaining and palatable style.

He could have produced a detailed and comprehensive documentary that would have appealed to those interested in serious in-depth critique, but his goal is always to create a commentary that has broad popular appeal. He has to resort to a certain degree of sensationalism and gimmickry as that's what the average movie goer expects.

Atman

<< Oddly, he makes vast amounts of money decrying capitalism, the proceeds of which contribute to his significant personal wealth. >>

I doubt very much that Mike Moore lives the high life. Most of his wealth is ploughed back into his next project. This latest movie was self funded as no film company would touch it. He's extremely generous with his money, and some of the many causes he supports include "Adoption, Fostering, Orphans, AIDS, Children, Education, Health, Poverty and Weapons Reduction."

http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/1402-michael-moore