Review of Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) by Ian H — 11 Jun 2010

His politics and beliefs may be clear, and he obviously makes documentaries unashamedly from his own perspective, and perhaps, I am guessing, cheekily to annoy those on the other side, but say what you will: he makes a darn good film.

I'll admit my beliefs are akin to Moore's, so I'm hardly disinterested or unbiased, but this was, for me, living in Australia, a horridly fascinating look [like the car accident you don't want to admit to sneaking a look at] at the tragic and devastating impact unbridled pursuit of money had on those least able to deal with the consequences, while those who precipitated the GFC seemed to move on to bigger and better things, and fatter wallets as well. As well as the horrified view of many Americans that socialism is awaiting, lurking like a monster, behind the corner; is universal health care and others rights [as I see it] of the individual such a scary thing? As Australia goes a similar way as I see it, more-and-more to user pays, Scandinavia becomes a lot more attractive. And, yes, I'm happy to pay higher taxes to help those in need.

Moore's interviewing of Catholic priests, and a Bishop, was particularly interesting to me as an Orthodox Christian; it was heart-warming to see priests and Bishops, and particularly the one who went to a sit-in at a bankrupt company and expressed solidarity.

I confess I have no idea about the world's finance markets, and no idea of a better solution, but it seems that the system we've got, and still have after the GFC, has its problems.