Review of God Bless America (2012) by Michael A — 11 Aug 2012

I happened across this movie in Netflix last night. It is an Indie film by comedian Bobcat Goldthwait. He is a no holds barred comedian. I generally enjoy that. Donâ(TM)t know much about his current stuff, but I just heard him on Adam Carollaâ(TM)s show recently so I thought, âwhy not?â?

Well, because it was terrible, thatâ(TM)s why.

On the surface, it seems to have the makings of a decent movie. Middle aged man is fed up with bigotry and pop culture, starts daydreaming about murdering his neighbors and co-workers, and finally jumps off the ledge and starts killing reality stars, talk show hosts, and, for some reason, Tea Party people because of all the âviolence and bigotryâ? they cause I guess.

OK, so letâ(TM)s get this out in the open first⦠I donâ(TM)t like political entertainment. Pearl Jam pisses me off every time Vedder starts yapping about his politics at concerts. I feel the same about movies and TV when writers start shoving their politics down my throat. I defend their right to do it. It is just not my cup of tea and I am not entertained by it therefore I exercise my right not to watch. When I turn to music and film, it is because I want to escape from the daily grind. I get politics all day every day. Generally, when I allow my entertainment to take on politics, it is the brand that confronts the bullshit on all sides⦠being a Libertarian, I see plenty wrong with both conservatives and liberals. The brilliant comedians and commentators are the ones that take on everyone. This is why guys like Dave Chappelle and Carlos Mencia are so brilliant and can captivate broad audiences. Bobcat is cut from a different cloth where writers/entertainers wear their politics on their sleeve. Again, good for him if that is what he likes, but not my thang.

For a B movie, the cinematography was adequate. The actors werenâ(TM)t the worst I have seen. My main critiques are twofold.

First, many of the plot points were rushed. The introduction of the girl sidekick was forced and I never really swallowed it. The part of the movie where he leaves the girl and she goes back home never really sat well with me either. Seemed unnecessary and their subsequent reunion at the American âIdolâ? show was completely forced. Several plot points like this could have been smoothed over for better story telling. Then there are points like his protagonist saying he is only going after "mean" people, but he ends up shooting a ton of "innocents" in the end sequence. Just a lot of little plot holes that could have been thought out a little better.

My second critique is the politics. Much of it was in-your-face liberal bullshit. Bobcatâ(TM)s dynamic-duo are mainly targeting two types of people in the film⦠reality stars and the âme-me-meâ? culture they represent and bigotry. Again, an interesting concept which, if done well, would resonate with a lot of people I think. But in classic liberal style, all the bigots are Republican-esque conservatives seen through the prism of liberals and employing the same old tired stereotypes and hyperbole that, quite frankly, people are tired of seeing. Same bullshit, different day. All conservatives are sexist, racist, bigot, homophobes. The same template that is used over and over and over in politics and really doesnâ(TM)t hold any weight with anyone but the far left any more. His characterization of the Bill Oâ(TM)Rielly character and the Tea Party have no basis whatsoever in reality. In one scene he portrays âTea Partyâ? activists physically attacking senior citizens for some reason that isnâ(TM)t clear while protesting Obamacare. The scene not only doesnâ(TM)t make sense, but it also creates an image of the Tea Party that has no basis in reality. If you followed the news at all in 2010 when the Tea Party was actively protesting, the gatherings were largely peaceful and no reported arrests or violence (to the chagrin of the media who tried their hardest to draw those conclusions). Contrast that to the leftâ(TM)s Occupy movements that have spawned literally thousands of arrests and dozens of reported rapes and violence across the country. Facts is facts Bobcat. I know you wish Tea Partiers were going around shooting people to better fit your template, but they arenâ(TM)t and you portraying them that way in your movie does you no favors.

So automatically, Bobcat, is alienating half of his potential audience⦠which is fine if that is what he wants. This is his art and if he wants to express his views this way and preach to his lefty friends, more power to him. But that is why it has only made $120k at the box office and wonâ(TM)t make much more in digital streaming and DVD sales. A real genius would have been able to make this accessible to the masses, but Bobcat falls short⦠way short. Kevin Smithâ(TM)s âRed State,â? wasnâ(TM)t my favorite film of all time either, but is a film with the same types of themes and plot points as Bobcatâ(TM)s film but is executed far better.

I would have given him a half star, but I will give him a full star for having the balls to shoot a baby, even if it was in a fantasy sequence.

1 out of 5 stars.