Review of Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) by Ben Y — 04 Dec 2011

Unlike some of his other works, this almost felt like more of a passion project for Michael Moore. He consistently discussed the crisis that had occurred in his home town of Flint, Michigan, and used this as the basis for his attack on the system of American Capitalism. However, that doesn't mean this film lacks substance. Hardly a wealth of new information, but Moore does a good job of linking together some of the major issues facing the United States today. In a world where the power of almighty dollar rules, it's only to be expected that those of the top of tower of power are corrupt. Why? Because it's a human trait. As the old saying goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

We can argue all night long about which system (Capitalism, Democracy, Communism, Socialism, etc.) is best for the human animal, but the fact is that none are perfect. Sure, a system like Capitalism invites inequality and breeds dissidence, but a system such as Socialism takes away that drive we humans need to further ourselves. Without a motive like profit, what point is there in trying? I know it's difficult to find a common ground between the two extremes, but in finding such a line perhaps we can finally find a system that suits everyone, from the blue collar worker to the farmer to the corporate executive. A system where basic rights such as health care, affordable shelter, minimally livable wage restrictions, and more are safeguarded, but where effort and skill are still rewarded. Regardless, I think it's fair to some of the atrocities presented in this film are simply unacceptable, and need to be put to an end.

Anyways, political rant over, and back to my review. Moore is an excellent storyteller, but I personally feel he disrupts the flow of his films with his human interest stories and personal holy wars. I understand that he uses such antics to support his arguments and entertain the viewer, but they simply get so borderline ridiculous at times that it just turns me off. This movie was way too one-sided - a proper documentary would take some of the arguments presented by the opposition and try to discredit them, but Moore simply attacks, and never defends. However, I still enjoyed the movie in a guilty pleasure kind of way, more because the content and subject matter were more up my alley and I was ever to find common ground with our glasses wearing self-proclaimed hero.

In any system of government, the government is supposed to be set up to serve the people. But increasingly we are seeing government itself becoming subservient. And this is because the system is very badly damaged, and possibly beyond repair. When corporate entities are financing election campaigns, what do you think is going to happen? Debts are meant to be paid. The rich get richer, and inevitably find a way to get to the top. Presidents are figure-heads, to give the public the illusion that it has the power to elect its own leaders, but the strings are pulled behind the scenes, and the values that once made our civilization great are being buried. We live in a modern society of overwork, noneducation, poverty, crime, and unhappiness. After all of these years of progress, shouldn't things have gotten better? What happened? Why is so much capital in the hands of so few?

I wish I had answers, but I don't. And I don't know how to fix the problem. The human animal is an imperfect, selfish entity that for whatever reason seems to think the world of itself. We divide, we conquer, we war, we devastate. But still, I hope. Perhaps I am the fool. Perhaps we all are.