California State University, Fresno

Capitalism: A Love Story

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Chris Ware / McClatchy Tribune

Entertaining and at times tear-jerking, Michael Moore cannonballs into the dirty pool of mortgage and banking, revealing the lust and greed lurking beneath the surface.

From the director, producer and star of documentaries “Sicko” and “Fahreinheit 9/11”, Moore’s latest film,“Capitalism: A Love Story” which hit theaters nationally on Oct. 2, is more of his trademark smart-aleky, left-winged comedy. After viewing the film it’s safe to say that if capitalism had a Facebook page, its relationship status would be: “it’s complicated.”

One phenomenon “Capitalism” highlights is the evil yet legal truth of corporate-owned life insurance policies. Otherwise known as “dead peasants insurance,” where corporations literally make killings off the unexpected deaths of employees. Moore also draws attention to judges whose pensions benefit from wrongfully sentencing minors to for profit juvenile detention centers.

He also draws heavily on his first film, “Roger and Me,” which dealt the effect of mass layoffs at General Motors on his hometown of Flint, Mich.

The biggest allegation is that the $700 billion bailout was in fact a legalized bank robbery backed by a number of former corporate executives who serve as cabinet members. The audience may be tempted to reach for guns. However, that may be due to M.I.A.’s song “Paper Planes” being looped in the background of the film.

If you’re a fan of Glenn Beck’s new book “Arguing with Idiots,” you most likely won’t be a fan of Moore’s narrative throughout the film. Despite several good laughs, the jokes of the film often go overboard.

For example, the animated backdrop that plays during former President Bush’s bailout speech, interviews with Flint priests and a cameo from Wallace Shawn, the teacher from “Clueless,” turned “Gossip Girl” step-dad turned economist.

Whether he is hassling security guard’s at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. or making a citizen’s arrest at American International Group, Inc., Moore knows how to turn controversial issues into a comedy routine. But is it effective?

Before credits roll Moore takes on the New York Stock Exchange by covering the building in yellow tape — labeling it as a crimes scene.

Moore leaves the audience with inspirational quotes in hopes to final thought, “Capitalism is evil, and you can’t regulate evil.”

 

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4 Responses to Capitalism: A Love Story

  1. Luri says:

    I agree, we need 0bama to take more money from those who (who have too much) and are primarily responsible for creating jobs for the rest of us and redistribute it to the poor so they can get educated and become doctors, nurses, etc (Obamabots)

    Know what I mean?

  2. Luri says:

    I agree, we need 0bama to take more money from those who (who have too much) and are primarily responsible for creating jobs for the rest of us and redistribute it to the poor so they can get educated and become doctors, nurses, etc (Obamabots)

    Know what I mean?

  3. Luri says:

    Why does Michael Moore piss on American capitalism when it is America that allowed him to spew his views and become a multi-millionaire?

    If America is so bad, and capitalism is so bad, why doesn’t Michael Moore move to Cuba and demonstrate how wonderful a country it is? He would not be allowed to blow off at the mouth and disrespect the country. He would be terminated.

  4. Luri says:

    Why does Michael Moore piss on American capitalism when it is America that allowed him to spew his views and become a multi-millionaire?

    If America is so bad, and capitalism is so bad, why doesn’t Michael Moore move to Cuba and demonstrate how wonderful a country it is? He would not be allowed to blow off at the mouth and disrespect the country. He would be terminated.

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