Bowling for Columbine

Michael Moore, the filmmaker, uses film segments, archive news video clips and live interviews in a montage, which explores the possible reasons for violence. Its a disturbing film, but not simply because of the horrible live video and audio clips sprinkled throughout the film. Those scenes are there and you need to be prepared for them. But its disturbing primarily because Moore challenges us with legitimate questions that we should be able to answer as an advanced, free, intelligent and sentient society, but we cant, or dont or wont. Furthermore, he presents us with facts and comparisons that should outrage us or embarrass us or do both.

The film tracks Moore on his crusade to unearth whats going behind violence. In the process, he creates some really absurd and really funny scenes. But dont expect the usual comedy. This film is like a reality show. There is no hero, no story line, no rising action and no resolution. There are also no direct accusations. There are lots of facts, yet its not quite a documentary its one big open question: why violence?

Unfortunately, there are some implications and innuendos, which could be construed as partisan. Moore seems to hold the feet of all leaders equally to the fire, however its very hard to project a totally unbiased view. He does a good job of balancing, but I believe he could have made his point without venturing into this sticky political area.

Moore is a courageous, frumpy looking guy, who seems to have no fear. He wrote, directed and produced this film as he has done on many of his other films. Moore wears a Michigan State University baseball cap, drives a VW Beetle and lives in a $1.9 million dollar home in New York.

Reviewed September 24, 2003