An Inconvenient Truth 2006
Al Gore’s documentary on global warming wasn’t something I was going to rush out and see at the theaters, but it makes a good DVD rental. Although the movie is based around Gore’s public slideshow, the director chose to make the movie version a little more personal. You still see a lot of the presentation, but you also follow Gore as he gives it at different places. In the asides he also reflects on growing up in Tennessee, his political career, and how after losing the election in 2000 he felt the need to return to his slideshow and advocating for environmental reform. That part is kind of folksy and will seem like a campaign ad to some, but I thought it struck the right tone and added an important personal note to an otherwise kind of bland subject. Who would have thought that a documentary presentation on global warming could use some character development?
The presentation itself is also masterfully put together, honed over the last twenty years. It isn’t just a one-note plea to help the environment; instead Gore takes on the issue from many different angles, using a number of pieces of research and real-world experience (Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans as the movie was being made and was incorporated as further evidence). Gore also addresses naysayers by comparing attacks on the theory of global warming to attacks on the Surgeon General’s warning that cigarettes cause cancer. Just as with the tobacco companies, the oil, energy, and automobile lobbies know that while they can not scientifically refute global warming, all they really need to do is present the position and sow doubt. The “fair and balanced” media will feel compelled to tell both sides of the story. Thank You For Smoking covered this ground as well, but for laughs.
I was very open to this type of propaganda, but I would be critical if the material was not presented convincingly (see my review of Michael Moore’s flawed Farenheit: 9/11). I was very impressed with how well Gore’s argument is laid out and how easy it is to understand. Steven Jobs of Apple Computer is known for great presentations for new Apple products, but Gore is giving him a run for the money here. The movie is 90 minutes long and it takes a chunk of time to really lay everything out there, but it is well worth it. I’ll give this an A, not just for the message, but because the whole movie works so well.
Written: 20 Aug 2007