Review of Trouble the Water (2008) by Harry T — 18 Sep 2009

The first-hand footage set next to the media's portrayal shows just how absurdly Hurricane Katrina's aftermath was handled. Phone calls of people who know they're about to die in the attics of their own homes, people with young children left for days without water--and then you see speeches from Bush saying everything is okay and for people not to worry. Morally repugnant shit.

As a documentary, I found the film to be pulling in two directions: the need to cast indictment on the New Orleans tragedy, and the strange journey of a couple of the survivors. Both are interesting, for the most part. Once Kim and Scott and co. find their way out of New Orleans, the film loses steam. The story is New Orleans, not them, and the cameras need to remain in the city, documenting the horror.

The film does manage to regain its feet, though, and manages to both reveal the neglect of a completely incompetent and uncaring government, while showing how so many of New Orleans citizens managed to survive.