Review of Roger & Me (1989) by Duncan M — 17 Jan 2008

Michael Moore's debut documentary about the plight of his hometown of Flint, Michigan, home of the UAW and the base for over 30,000 General Motors workers. Essentially detailed the demise of the city when GM decides to pull the plug on the city. Moore then goes on a quest to bring GM CEO Roger Smith to Flint to show him the problems that face communities when big business pulls out. At times, the documentary feels almost Spinal Tap-esque, with the 80s fashions and much candor in front of the camera. Arguably the most powerful scene is Smith's Christmas speech to his fellow workers which is juxtaposed with a family being evicted from their house two days before Christmas.

Sadly, the documentary is tainted by the admission that came out last year that Moore and Smith did indeed have a sit-down conversation that was filmed, however, this wasn't included.