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Capitalism: A Love Story

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Capitalism: A Love Story
In front of a gray silhouette of protesters holding up signs below a yellow-orange sky, a rotund man in casual clothing folds his arms and faces a silver-haired businessman in the foreground, whose back is to the viewer. The businessman holds up the American flag in his right hand while holding a bag with a dollar sign behind his back, out of view of the man and the protesters.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael Moore
Written byMichael Moore
Produced byAnne Moore
Michael Moore
CinematographyDaniel Marracino
Jayme Roy
Edited byJessica Brunetto
Alex Meiller
Tanya Meiller
Connor O'Neill
Pablo Proenza
T. Woody Richman
John Walter
Music byJeff Gibbs
Production
companies
Distributed byOverture Films (US)
Paramount Vantage (international)
Release dates
September 6, 2009 (2009-09-06)
(Venice Film Festival)
September 23, 2009
Running time
127 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$16,234,758[1]

Capitalism: A Love Story is a 2009 American documentary film directed, written and starring Michael Moore. The film centers on the financial crisis of 2007–2010 and the recovery stimulus, while putting forward an indictment of the current economic order in the United States and capitalism in general. Topics covered include Wall Street's "casino mentality", for-profit prisons, Goldman Sachs' influence in Washington, DC, the poverty-level of many airline pilots, the large wave of home foreclosures, and the consequences of "runaway greed".[2] The film also features a religious component where Moore examines whether or not capitalism is a sin and if Jesus would be a capitalist.[3] The film was widely released to the public in the United States and Canada on October 2, 2009.

Synopsis

The film alternates between a fierce critique of the status quo, personal portraits of the suffering caused by the recent economic crisis, and comical social satire. Moore starts the film with a series of security footages of bank robberies (one of the robbers was even on a crutch). Moore then uses an Encyclopædia Britannica archive video to compare the modern-day America with Roman Empire. The film then depicts home videos of families being evicted from their own houses, as well as the "Condo Vultures", a Florida real estate agent whose business flourished with the increasing number of foreclosures.

The film then cuts back to the past "golden days" of American capitalism following World War II, and a "bummer" speech by President Jimmy Carter warning Americans of the dangers of "worship(ping) self-indulgence and consumption". In the following Reagan years where the policies of Don Regan "turned the bull loose" for free enterprises, corporations gained more political power, unions were weakened, and socioeconomic gaps were widened. The film then cuts to the Luzerne County court scandal, Captain Sullenberger's congressional testimony regarding airline pilots' poor treatment, and the expose of "dead peasant insurance" policies that have companies profiting from the deaths of their employees. Moore then interviews several Catholic priests, including Bishop Thomas Gumbleton (Archdiocese of Detroit), all of whom consider capitalism contrary to the teachings of Christianity. The film then presents a mockery of what would happen if Jesus was a capitalist who supports to "maximize profits", "deregulate the banking industry" and the sick to "pay out of pocket" for their "pre-existing condition", in contrast with several news pundits who proclaim the success of various capitalist enterprises as being a "blessing from God."

The film then features an internal Citigroup memo happily declaring the United States a "plutonomy" (a society "where economic growth is powered by and largely consumed by the wealthy few"), with the top 1% of the population controlling more financial wealth than the bottom 95% combined. The same report also raises the concern of "societies demanding a more 'equitable' share of wealth". Moore then interviews columnist Stephen Moore, who believes "capitalism is a lot more important than democracy". The film then cuts to worker cooperatives like Wisconsin's Isthmus Engineering and California's Alvarado Street Bakery, which are owned and run democratically by its employees.

Moore interviews Elizabeth Warren, the head of the US Congressional Oversight Committee, the government agency serving as a "watchdog" for Congress' wrong-doing and investigating Congressional "oversights" (mistakes). He asks her, "Where is the $700 billion bailout money which Congress gave to the big banks and Wall Street investment companies?" There is a dramatic pause and the committee head replies, "I don't know." Moore also interviews a former employee at Countrywide Financial responsible for their VIP program and details how many members of Congress and political figures received favorable mortgage rates under the program.

The film contrasts the present economic reality in America with long-lost archival footage of US president Franklin D. Roosevelt calling for a Second Bill of Rights that would guarantee all Americans "a useful job, a decent home, adequate health care, and a good education."[2] He points to systems of codetermination, or workplace democracy, as alternative models to capitalism.

Moore discusses his own spiritual beliefs as a Catholic, and questions whether Jesus would belong to a hedge fund or sell short. His conclusion, which he elaborated on in more detail after the film's release, is that "you can't call yourself a capitalist and a Christian, because you cannot love your money and love your neighbor."[3]

The documentary features a number of positive portrayals, which include bailout watchdog Elizabeth Warren, Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans, who put forth a moratorium on home evictions, and Ohio Representative Marcy Kaptur, who on the floor of the US Congress encouraged Americans to be "squatters" in their own homes, and refuse to vacate.[2]

Production

During the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, Overture Films and Paramount Vantage announced an upcoming project by director Michael Moore, though at the time they were vague about the project's theme. Originally thought to be a follow-up to the 2004 film Farenheit 9/11, it was revealed that Moore's film was to be a documentary about the financial crisis of 2007–2010. In February 2009, he issued an appeal to people who worked for Wall Street or in the financial industry to share firsthand information, requesting, "Be a hero and help me expose the biggest swindle in American history."[4]

Release

Theatrical run

Capitalism: A Love Story premiered at the 66th Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2009.[5] The film also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13 and at the New York Film Festival on September 21. On September 23, the film had a limited release at two theaters in New York City and two theaters in Los Angeles,[6] grossing $37,832 in its first day for a $9,458 per theater average.[7] The theater average was considered strong, though it did not beat the record opening of Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, which grossed $83,922 at two theaters in one day.[6] Over the weekend of September 25, Capitalism grossed $231,964 in the four theaters.[8] The film had a wide release in 995 theaters in the United States and Canada on October 2, 2009,[9] about a year after the enacting of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which approved a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street.[4] The film opened in eighth place at the box office on the first weekend of its wide release, grossing $4,447,378.[10] The final domestic total was $14,115,489.[9]

Critical reception

The review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 75% out of 141 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average score of 6.7 out of 10.[11] Similar website Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to mainstream critics' reviews, reported that the film has received an average score of 61 based on 35 reviews.[12]

Deborah Young, writing for the trade paper The Hollywood Reporter, wrote of Capitalism: A Love Story, "Although it's less focused than Sicko or Fahrenheit 9/11... because its subject is more abstract, this is a typical Moore oeuvre: funny, often over the top and of dubious documentation, but with strongly made points that leave viewers much to ponder and debate after they walk out of the theater." Young acknowledged Moore's simplification of the topic and added, "But here his talent is evident in creating two hours of engrossing cinema by contrasting a fast-moving montage of '50s archive images extolling free enterprise with the economic disaster of the present." The critic noted who the documentary targeted: "Though it blames all political parties, including the Democrats, for caving in with the bailout, the film is careful to spare President Barack Obama, who remains a symbol of hope for justice."[13]

Leslie Felperin of the trade paper Variety wrote, "Pic's target is less capitalism qua capitalism than the banking industry, which Moore skewers ruthlessly, explaining last year's economic meltdown in terms a sixth-grader could understand. That said, there's still plenty here to annoy right-wingers, as well as those who, however much they agree with Moore's politics, just can't stomach his oversimplification, on-the-nose sentimentality and goofball japery." Felperin said that the documentary was similarly structured to Moore's previous documentaries, "Capitalism skips around considerably, laying down a mix of reportage, interviews and polemic." Felperin observed Moore's prominent role in his own documentary, believing it to be justified with relevance to crises in the automobile industry that Moore's family personally encountered. The critic complained that Moore strove "to manipulate viewers' emotions with shots of crying children and tearjerking musical choices", believing that the documentary worked better when the director let the topic unfold through various accounts.[14]

Topical accuracy

The Associated Press's national business columnist Rachel Beck reviewed the accuracy of three points made in Capitalism:

  1. Three months after a scene in which Moore approaches Goldman Sachs headquarters to reclaim taxpayers' funds, the bank was one of the ten that repaid part of the $68 billion received from the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Moore responded to the action: "We're not talking about the majority of people who took the money ... not even 10 percent of the $700 billion has been returned."[15]
  2. Moore criticizes Wal-Mart for "dead peasant" policies, where the company cancelled all 350,000 of such policies in 2000. Moore notes that the termination of the policies was covered in the presentation of facts and quotes in the closing credits.[15]
  3. The documentary criticizes Senator Christopher Dodd and other government officials for benefiting from exclusive financial programs; Moore lambasts Dodd in particular for predatory lending as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. The AP reported that the interest rates and fees involved were norms for the industry, and that the Senate's Select Committee on Ethics cleared Dodd and Kent Conrad of getting special treatments, though it cautioned the senators to exercise "more vigilance" with such deals.[15]

The Association of Advanced Life Underwriting issued a statement that Moore "mischaracterized" corporate owned life insurance, stating that the issues were addressed by Congress in the 1990s and again in 2006. The AALU further states that corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) is only taken out on highly compensated employees, and only with their knowledge and consent, that COLI finances employee benefits and protects jobs and that employees pay nothing for COLI, but receive substantial benefits.[16]

Religious subject matter

Religion expert Anthony Stevens-Arroyo stated that the film should be considered "a special kind of Catholic achievement" and asked whether Michael Moore should be named "Catholic of the Year" for raising the serious issues raised by the film in the context of Catholic teachings, and for presenting "Catholic currents of social justice" in the film.[17]

Awards and honors

At the Venice Film Festival, Moore won the "Leoncino d'Oro" ("Little Golden Lion") award for his documentary, and he also received the festival's Open Prize.[18] The documentary was also nominated for the festival's Golden Lion award,[19] but lost to Lebanon.[20]

References

  1. ^ [http:http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=michaelmoore09.htm http:http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=michaelmoore09.htm]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ a b c Huffington, Arianna (September 21, 2009). "Barack Obama Must See Michael Moore's New Movie (and So Must You)!". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 23, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b For Those of You on Your Way to Church This Morning ... by Michael Moore, The Huffington Post, October 4, 2009
  4. ^ a b Dave McNary (July 8, 2009). "Michael Moore unveils title of new doc". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2009. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  5. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (September 1, 2009). "Stars to shine on Lido". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2009. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  6. ^ a b Fritz, Ben (September 24, 2009). "Moore's 'Capitalism' off to profitable start". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) – Daily Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 2, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ "Capitalism: A Love Story (2009) – Weekend Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 2, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 7, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results for October 2–4, 2009". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 7, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ "Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
  12. ^ "Capitalism: A Love Story". Metacritic. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
  13. ^ Young, Deborah (September 6, 2009). "Capitalism: A Love Story -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 22, 2009. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  14. ^ Felperin, Leslie (September 5, 2009). "Capitalism: A Love Story". Variety. Retrieved September 22, 2009. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  15. ^ a b c Beck, Rachel (September 24, 2009). "Fact-checking Moore's 'Capitalism'". Associated Press. Retrieved September 24, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  16. ^ http://www.aalu.org/custom/headlines/headlinedetails.cfm?id=426
  17. ^ Washington Post, October 28, 2009, "Catholic America: Michael Moore: Catholic of the year?" http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/catholicamerica/2009/10/michael_moore_as_catholic_of_the_year.html?hpid=talkbox1
  18. ^ "La Biennale di Venezia - The 66th Festival Collateral Awards". labiennale.org. September 12, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  19. ^ O'Neil, Tom (July 30, 2009). "Venice Film Festival unveils Golden Lion lineup led by Michael Moore". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 23, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  20. ^ "Top Venice award for Israeli film". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC. September 12, 2009. Retrieved September 24, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)

In-depth review and analysis from the Guardian: [1]

Multimedia

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