Review of Before the Flood (2016) by Beflygelt — 02 Nov 2016

Two things I want to put first right here. For one, this is an exceptional documentary and works wonderfully as a piece of enlightenment. Secondly, I have to say that Leonardo DiCaprio is a really bad actor in it. I also think, however, that you should -and easily can- look past that fact.

Now, I think it is a great thing that one of the most famous people in the world gives his face to draw attention to the most urgent issue of our time, the devastation of our planet through our own hands, or how most people call it, "climate change". DiCaprio's presence throughout the film also helps you to identify with the situation, you look through his eyes much the same way you see the madness of war through Martin Sheen's eyes in Apocalypse Now. So overall, he benefits this movie in all the right ways... Well, all the right ways except for authenticity. The problem I have is that when I look at his face during these interviews, I don't see genuine interest. I see disinterest. All his "oh my god"s come across as uninspired and fake to me. I see a person trying to level up his PR. He comes across as hypocritical. And I mean he's a great actor, why couldn't he at least pretend interest? It's just baffling to me. He seems to care, but he also looks bored. Maybe he plays with brilliance a character meant to reflect our own ignorance and hypocrisy. I kinda doubt that though.

But the documentary itself is easily good enough to condone DiCaprio's ambiguous appearance. I think it takes a look at all the right things and delivered all the right messages. Technically, the editing of Before The Flood, it's structure, especially how it uses Bosch's painting The Garden of Earthly Delights as a frame for it's story, is impeccable. I also really liked how they used behind the scenes footage of The Revenant (another film I really like). The cinematography is very impressive, delivering many memorable pictures. And the score by heavy-weights Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (highly acclaimed for their work on recent David Fincher films) in collaboration with Mogwai (!!) and Gustavo Santaolalla is marvelous. The interviews are all very interesting and informative, illuminating not only the facts we have to face in a very objective and vivid manner, but also showing the different perspectives on the topic from all around the world, giving you a very complete picture. And interestingly enough I didn't find the film to be preachy at all (I definitely expected it to be exactly that), it is much rather informative and insightful. After all, the content of a documentary, and even moreso the way it is delivered, is all that counts. And this makes it, by all accounts, a great film. It helps to gain deeper understanding of one of the most important topics in the world. And it will convince people not aware of it's importance.

You can stream Before The Flood for free on youtube. A great decision on side of the filmmakers. It is the absolute right thing to do in 2016, just putting it online where everybody can see it. And not to charge money for such a clearly high-budget project definitely shows the good intention behind it.

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