"Capitalism: A Love Story" is the fifth feature length documentary from America's most brilliant muckraking provocateur, Michael Moore. With films like "Roger & Me", "Bowling for Columbine", "Fahrenheit 9/11", and "Sicko", Moore has become an intensely polarizing figure. He has made a career out of making fearlessly incendiary movies that aim to unveil the seedy underbelly of those in power. But while all of his films have had a sense of urgency, none of his films have been as urgent and angry as "Capitalism: A Love Story". This is Michael Moore's most passionate movie to date, a film that doesn't merely wish to convince the public of the ills of our capitalist system, but a film that wants to incite a revolution. And ladies and gentlemen, this is a beautiful thing. If only more filmmakers had this much passion.
The premise of "Capitalism: A Love Story" is thematically similar to that of "Roger & Me". In that terrific 1989 film, Michael Moore tackled the greed and corruption of General Motors. In "Capitalism", General Motors is one of many big business corporations that serve as targets for Moore's wrath. Simply put, this film is an attack on capitalism, an economic system that Moore believes is the primary cause of the widening gap between the rich and the poor in the United States of America. The system, according to Moore, is undemocratic and unjust, a system that favors the elite and wealthy while completely shunning those who are less fortunate. Michael Moore employs several similar emotional appeals that we have come to expect from his films, but even though he may be using the same tactics, the results are no less effective. Whether you agree with his message or not, this film packs a powerful emotional punch.
What makes "Capitalism: A Love Story" so remarkable isn't so much its material-----Moore is hardly the only person who has been deeply angered by capitalist greed and corruption-----but its' daring sense of immediacy. By the end of the film, Moore is asking Americans to rise up and let their voice be heard now. He wants Americans to take revolutionary action, because he argues that that will be the only way capitalism will ever be replaced by true democracy. Many will find Moore's plea to the public to be deeply inspirational, the work of a true patriot. Others will no doubt deem this film socially irresponsible. But no matter your opinion, you can't help but admire Michael Moore's fearlessness and energy. Moore doesn't hide behind convoluted doublespeak. His message is loud and clear.
Thus, "Capitalism: A Love Story" is one of the best films of the year, another daring gem from Mr. Moore. As the film nears its end, Michael Moore walks around the New York Stock Exchange building, surrounding the building with yellow tape declaring it a crime scene. This scene epitomizes the admirable gall of Michael Moore.
