By Mark Saldana
Rating: 3 (Out of 4 Stars)
From Michael Moore, the controversial award-winning documentary filmmaker behind Bowling For Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11, comes this powerful, ambitious, but overstuffed documentary which takes on modern America and President Donald Trump. Though the film does pack some heavy emotional punches, Moore tries to accomplish too much at once, when two, possibly three, shorter films would have worked better. Fahrenheit 11/9 is sure to leave audiences with multiple emotions, but a stronger focus on one singular topic would have had more of an impact.
Moore’s latest chiefly focuses on the election of 45th President Donald Trump, and gives some very insightful and intelligent reasons why he was able to win the election. Moore also presents the aftermath, including the implementation of his policies, and serves as a cautionary warning of far worse possibilities. Moore also has chosen to tackle a subject that is near and dear to him–the horrendous situation with Flint, Michigan’s water supply. In addition, the director also offers some more promising developments in U.S. politics, as well as examples of activism that is challenging the current state of things.
The great thing about Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 11/9 is that he makes it a point to show that democracy is not completely dead, but is in great danger. The film serves as a scream to the people of the United States to wake up and take action. Apathy has plagued much if the U.S. and even though democracy has suffered and struggled to remain alive, it is still possible to rise up and do something about it. The problem with the film has mostly to do with his inclusion of the Flint, Michigan water problem.
I honestly feel that Moore could have dedicated a film to that issue and not included it here. In this documentary, this subplot comes across as an out-of-place tangent that has no real connection with the other events covered. Moore could have also possibly made yet another documentary about the growing problem of school shootings. He includes that subject here, and even though his coverage of the surviving students’ reactions shines as an example of the power of activism, it also feels out of place.
Overall, I like this film, but think that Moore had way too many targets to critique. It is all a lot to digest from just one movie. Nevertheless, the film does pack a sting, and is a necessary one at that.