Change Your Image
mindycourtney
Reviews
This Divided State (2005)
This is not a Michael Moore film
Despite the fact that it is a Michael Moore-style documentary starring Michael Moore, it is in fact directed by the not-so-well-known Steven Greenstreet. If I had known this before I started watching, I may have just assumed that this is one of Moore's fans trying to piggy-back off his success and earn a few dollars. I'm glad that I didn't realise until the closing credits.
The documentary follows the enormous controversy surrounding Utah Valley State College's decision to host a speech from Michael Moore in the lead-up to the 2004 Presidential Election. It follows the protesters on both sides and in particular the student council leaders responsible for the event.
I must say I was somewhat amazed by the lack of blatant view-pushing. The documentary captured exactly what the title suggests - two fiercely opinionated and divided camps. There is very little intervention by the film-maker, and given the shocking nature of some of the material, any nudging towards the direction of free speech really isn't necessary.
What I saw shocked me far more than I expected. I mean, I know that Utah is the reddest state in the Union, and I know that they are 75% Mormon, and I know that they don't like Michael Moore, but I was absolutely dumbstruck by their complete intolerance and ridicule of "liberals". Sean Hannity is a well-respected Republican figure in the state, and the film includes footage of his speech given to a packed stadium at Utah Valley State College in the lead-up to Moore's visit. During this speech, when Hannity asks for a show of hands as to who will be voting for Kerry, any person who dares raise their hand is booed, called a "fool" and told that they are still young so they will learn. Hannity even goes so far as to mock liberals for being poor and singles out one proud Democrat who he brings up onto the stage offering to "Hannitise" him before feeding him to the wolves. Apparently, "liberals" such as Moore are corrupting us with "evil filth" when we choose to listen to him.
The telling part for me, is that whilst Moore aims to shock (with the noble intention of moving people to action instead of apathy), at no stage did he resort to such tactics in his speech at the university. He spoke about freedom of speech, about the war on Iraq and about non-discrimination. Pretty decent goals really.
In Good Company (2004)
Comedic potential turns to life lessons
This movie really isn't all about corporate takeovers or comedic spoofs. This film is about the unlikely relationships that form between people who are thrown together.
That 70's Show's Topher Grace proves he is capable of much more than funny-guy Eric Forman. As Carter Duryea he's a workaholic loner thrust into managing a team of staff in an industry that he's had no experience in. He struggles to claim authority over Dan Foreman (Dennis Quaid), the former manager whose office he has claimed, while attempting to benefit from his experience. Despite his early success, Carter envies Dan's family life and the respect with which he treats his former staff. Scarlett Johansson pays Dan's cute-as-a-button daughter who is struck by Carter's honesty when he unwittingly reveals to her how inadequate he feels. There is potential for comedy as the 26 year old boss starts dating his 52 year old employee's daughter in secret, however the film takes on a more serious tone.
The life lessons in this film are nothing new, however the process of getting there is worth the trip.