The film wins points immediately by taking the trouble to explore the original meaning and motivation of capitalism, setting it against the modern strain that has caused so much FUD in recent decades; Moore demonstrates that happy, free market optimism has been hijacked; it appears that Horatio Alger got mugged on his way to find the American Dream and some cold hearted bastards stole his kidney, wallet and identity.
I particularly liked how he revisited certain scenes from “Roger and Me” in order to underline how much has changed for the worse (the urban decay of Flint Michigan is now a familiar scenario in many low and middle income states) and in some ways for the better (The willingness of the public to stand up and lend help to their fellow man during sit down strikes and in resistance to insane bailout provisions in the senate). Also it explains that capitalism as a concept is not evil, just the people who have made it an exclusive club to the detriment of all under a certain income threshold.
Despite the overtly negative framing of the economic system I feel there’s also wistfulness here; a sense that if capitalism had worked as advertised by the late lamented and kidney-less Alger and less like an Ayn Rand fever dream it could all have been be ok.
One of Moore’s strengths as a filmmaker is his ability to discuss and explain lofty issues then introduce viewers to the real world consequences via the people who experienced them first hand, all the while avoiding the conspiratorial tone or sense that we are powerless and doomed. He sets out the information, lets the viewer know how the corporate and political magicians managed their sleight of hand and then reassures us that something can indeed be done and proceeds to make suggestions.
The final scene is a cheering one; Moore wanders Wall Street putting up a single line of crime scene tape around the buildings of particularly egregious offenders and undeserving beneficiaries of taxpayer money. In essence then this informative piece is another of Moore’s calls to action. Please vote, he says. Get involved. Help out struggling communities. Don’t just accept the horseshit that’s peddled to you; question, challenge and preserve your rights.
