Review of The Age of Stupid (2009) by Trent R — 28 Jul 2010

Semi-doc collage with SF trappings, reminiscent of nothing so much as an inversion of `50s apocalyptic spectaculars. Postlethwaite is a welcome source of bookending structure, but the static shots of him staring into camera and manipulating an omniscient online compendium of documentary footage detailing roughly present-day environmental collapse comes off poorly.

This pedagogical device serves to obscure the documentary's narrative point of view, giving it a knowledgeably cinematic face and presenting info as value neutral matters of historical fact seen in retrospect instead of auteur choice. Again, much like the assumed authority of scientific and military men in propagandistic `50s sci-fi. Animated sections fare less well, with an overly cute and smug approach to humor that wears thin at times.

As much as one might agree or disagree with the politics, these artistic choices seem unlikely to achieve their intent. That said, the footage itself is a remarkable mix of sources from across the globe. Chosen well to reflect gradual and dramatic change on systematic and personal levels, reflecting both individual and geopolitical hypocrisy with unintended, ironic consequence.