MOVIE REVIEW: Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

I admire Micheal Moore. I think his heart is in the right place. I also think he is a pretty good film maker. I legitimately enjoyed Bowling For Columbine and learnt a lot of valuable and relevant information about gun laws in the U.S.

I don't know what it is though, perhaps the recent tsunami of PC culture, socialism and regressive leftism that has taken control of my generation, but I just can't get on board with Moore's attempt to condemn capitalism in such an aggressive way. Last time I checked, he was not an expert on economics, although granted he does know the basics. Neither am I, by the way. But the way Micheal talks about capitalism you would think he was the foremost expert the world has ever seen, maintaining a condescending and rather immature tone of voice for the whole of this 2 hour leftist circle jerk.

I am far from a pure capitalist, and I actually agree with most of the points Micheal brings up in this documentary. Crony capitalism has been a primary cause for much unnecessary suffering in the west over the last 40 years. But instead of tackling some very tough and complicated issues by analysing the mechanics of capitalism or the reasons for this extreme corruption, I feel as if Moore just tries to blame the principals of capitalism for everything through shocking case studies.

As a young person, it would easy for me to jump on the band wagon of these extremely left leaning ideologies, that by the way normally have much more of an agenda than right leaning ones. But as I grow, both in age and maturity, I am starting to realise just how naive it is to look at whole economic systems so simplistically. I believe capitalism without corruption can potentially create the most liberal and fair society on Earth. We don't have that at them moment, but my main values remain. I believe in self reliance, and the right of every person to make the best or worst of themselves. What I see happening all around me, especially in far left circles, is the reverse of this. More insulation, more desire for state control, less personal responsibility. Ultimately, less freedom. I am not saying Moore's documentary is full of falsehoods, or even that it endorses any of these socialist principles. I just think that he chooses an easy target in order to slate an entire system which can be both good and bad.

I think my dislike of Capitalism: A Love Story just comes down to its blatant agenda and Micheal's rather patronising commentary, which I'd had far too much of by the time the movie ended. It is not completely without merit and it does contain some interesting case studies that underline a real need for political change, but for me it just failed to hit the mark like some of his older films did.

Overall: 40/100