Review of Roger & Me (1989) by Jason Y — 18 May 2004

Those two words that can be used to describe Mr.Moore. Many critics seem to review him at the same time as his films, an many times it's negative. I have decided to step up to the plate and give Mr.Moore a hardy 9 as a show of respect for the work he has done for the good of the people.

One of the things we need these days is to be properly informed, and he is trying his best to do that.

Now, the movie. This documentary about the decaying city of Flint, Michigan is very scary and humourous all at the same time.

Flint was an original city for GM but the factories started closing down leaving Flint the highest rated for unemployment and voted the worst city to live in by "Money" magazine.

The title of the film comes from Moore's attempts to converse with GM president Roger Smith. Smith comes off as a real life villian and the morbid results of a town dying are unnerving and harsh.

Moore examines a deputy who evicts poor people (including on xmas eve), a desperate woman forced to raise and slaughter rabbits for a living (sometimes $10 a week), various workers trying new jobs, and 2 men on both ends of the pole. One who defends Smith's actions and the other trying desperatly to revive the town through tourist gimmicks. All of which fail.

The celebrity interviews contain there own bits of fascinating shock (as most of Moore's interviews do). Be it racial jokes coming from the host of the Newlywed game, Pat Boone's eery optimism or Ms.Michigan/America and her outrageous stupidy and arrogance.

As Moore likes to do, this film creates a dark image of American living. He is not always fair in doing so but in more ways he should be. He is in no way anti-America (nor anyone for apprectiating his work) but he simply wants to wake up those that can make a difference, and better yet, hopes that people who watch his films will try to improve the world they live in (America or otherwise).

This film is a fun watch and will make you think too. What more could you want?

Mr.Moore is a guerilla among the wasp population. His work inspires reactions of all variety. I personally hope that the current attempts of Disney and the US government to silence him fail.

Keep on rockin' in the free world.