Review of Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) by Nathan M — 29 Jun 2014

What Michael Moore does with "Capitalism" is creates a film that actually makes you care about the 2008 financial crisis. Now, before I sound like a terrible person, let me explain what I'm saying. Movies like Inside Job and Inequality for All tend to take a look at the financial crisis in a way that feels either cold and removed or impractical. Capitalism, whether it is or not, appears to be a film that really cares about the people affected by the crisis.

The film is a lot like Moore's other films, it's smart, snarky, and entertaining. But the film also has a strong sense of heart to it, even if that heart is rather manipulative. Moore has this gonzo style of filmmaking where he's pretty forward about his manipulative skills. He lets you know he's not being objective, and that makes the film feel more objective than it is. So when Moore tells you the heartbreaking story of people who are actually affected by the negative sides of capitalism, whether they're accurate or not, your heart breaks a little.

It's not his best film, but it's definitely well-made and a reminder of why Moore is so famous. Love him or hate him, he's good at what he does.