Okay, So Which Is It?

To describe this film as dishonest and demagogic would almost be to promote those terms to the level of respectability. To describe this film as a piece of crap would be to run the risk of a discourse that would never again rise above the excremental. To describe it as an exercise in facile crowd-pleasing would be too obvious. Fahrenheit 9/11 is a sinister exercise in moral frivolity, crudely disguised as an exercise in seriousness. It is also a spectacle of abject political cowardice masking itself as a demonstration of "dissenting" bravery.

As much as some might try to marginalize this film as a screed against President George Bush, "F9/11" — as we saw last night — is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty — and at the same time a indictment of stupidity and avarice.

Much of the criticism of the film is sure to focus on Moore's semi-conspiratorial assertions about the Bush family's several decade-long Saudi lovefest. But in some ways, it's a side issue, the film succeeds, and succeeds enormously, in capturing in a much larger Shakespearean tragedy that has befallen this nation over the course of the last four years, especially for those who have been sent to fight an illegal and idiotic war. The footage of soldiers serving in Iraq shot by various independent crews makes up some of the strongest moments in the film (GNN was approached by Moore's producers to shoot footage for the film while we were in Iraq, but declined). A hollow-eyed grunt tells the camera, "I lost a piece of my soul here." We all have.

In an era where authentic journalism and critical analysis have been sacrificed for ambulance chasing and hyperbole, Michael Moore has basically fallen into the same trap. Even worse, instead of attempting to transform the political landscape by appealing to a broader psychographic audience, Moore has simply catered to and played off the angry left, driving his spear further into the wound of the American collective consciousness.

I'm soooooooooo confused. I guess if Bush gets reelected then there will be a sequel. I wonder if anyone will be shipping this thing to our soldiers in Iraq... probably not a good idea - they already feel bad enough about being there.