Review of Manufacturing Dissent (2007) by Laura J — 04 Sep 2007

What Canadian documentarians Caine and Melnyk lack in the filmish flair of target Moore's own documentaries, they make up for in simple facts bared. Love or loathe Moore's politics (and the filmmakers are anti-war leftists), he is revealed to be a liar and manipulator, betraying friends like Ralph Nader, stage managing many of his famous 'spontaneous' encounters, and disappearing inconvenient film reels.

One thing is obvious, the facts on Moore were available as early as 'Roger and Me', and no one (me included) paid attention. A fascinating documentary, if not a great film, arguing that Moore could not exist and thrive in an environment where the left responsibly confronted and questioned the Bush Administration, and is symptomatic of the puerile slacker-left that dominates progressive discourse to its own harm.

The DVD's deleted scene with Ray Bradbury is my favourite moment.