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Capitalism: A Love Story |  | Artist: Michael Moore
Director: Michael Moore
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy Used: $6.24
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New (39) Used (22) from $6.24
Seller: G. Bailey
Rating:  185 reviews
Sales Rank: 756
Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 127 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 013132136592
UPC: 013132136592
EAN: 0013132136592
ASIN: B0030Y11XS
Theatrical Release Date: 2009
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A look into the greed that is at the center of capitalism.
Amazon.com
Michael Moore's didactic documentary style is actually a source of inspiration in Capitalism: A Love Story. This film, which explores the history of incongruence between American capitalism and democracy, is evidently a culmination of Moore's lifetime of research into this topic: he begins the movie by admitting his longstanding interest, rooted in childhood experiences in Flint, Michigan. As a result, the film displays an expertise that is less irritating than in Moore's earlier works, in which various loopholes can be found in one-sided presentations (see Bowling for Columbine). Here Moore employs his trademark tactics to make a satirical documentary that functions as a film-based, grassroots political strategy meant to provoke revolt. Consisting of patched-together clips from various eras and media outlets, the film weaves a narrative that underscores Moore's argument that while America is a success because of its democracy, it has been denigrated by capitalism, which he calls "a system of taking and giving, mostly taking." Capitalism: A Love Story is a patriotic call to arms that seeks to ignite rage in the viewer who is tired of political stupidity resulting in poverty and hardship among a dwindling middle class. It begins by tracing the growing gap between the rich and poor, from the Depression through the 1950s "free enterprise" boom. Using clips of FDR and Jimmy Carter warning against greed and inequality, Moore shows how gradually Americans came to accept Reaganomics, corporate corruption, then Bush-era swindling over time. This history serves as context for his explanation of the housing crisis, the collapse of banks, and Bush's covert, last-ditch efforts to pass sketchy bills on the cusp of Obama's election. Moore asks several lawyers, senators, and bankers, "What the **** happened?" and each offers intelligent assessments of situations that many American viewers still struggle to comprehend. Unfortunately, there are corny Moore moments throughout the film, such as when he takes an armored truck to various banking headquarters and harasses security guards to let him in to reclaim money stolen from the American public. Clips of Bush dancing juxtaposed with shots of people crying because they've lost their homes are melodramatic and only weaken Moore's arguments. Like Robin Hood, Moore seeks justice, but his greatest strength is as a translator between those speaking a complex political language and his viewers. Capitalism: A Love Story, while it does have a condescending tone throughout, does much to relay a complicated history that we all need to know for the sake of our own empowerment. --Trinie Dalton
Stills from Capitalism: A Love Story (Click for larger image)
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 185
The Way Forward? July 21, 2010
Alfred Johnson (boston, ma)
First, although this documentary was just released last year it already has a dated feel to it, as governmental regimes have changed but not the greedy profit motive that drives the capitalist economy and which the twin governmental parties of capitalism, Republican and Democratic, each in their way, serve. Moore's main object at the time, I assume, was to take advantage, easy advantage as the case turned out, of the villainous characters that ran the capitalist government under President Bush, under whose regime all economic hell broke loose. That was then, and this is now though. The easily interchangeable cast of characters now look remarkable the same, the wars the same, unemployment still at modern day highs, Wall Street bonuses obscene, Congress still under the thumb (as Moore, in his great film-making capacity, really captures) under new "go to" guy Obama. Sure, plenty of people had (and still have) plenty of illusions in Obama so Brother Moore was not alone, although some of the others had enough sense not to film their glee for the world to see and thus have to shield their faces from public view when the inevitable shoe fell.
Second, one of the central motifs here is Moore's notion that this country can turn itself around by going back to some form of Rooseveltian "New Deal (his Second Bill Of Rights). But his big push is for social and political action by the "little people." (Called by Moore, and others, the middle class, although it is really called the working class, brother, at least from the film footage interviews from such towns as Detroit and Cleveland. There is nothing wrong with calling a thing by its right name, okay?) Moore makes several plugs (including at the end) for people to "do something." Unfortunately, such a vague statement in politics can be turned on you. In a racist-tinged, anti-immigrant, starve public services (part of which is directed at those same two groups) "Age of the Tea Party", political action by the "little people" is not always without a program, a socialist program, the kind of clarion call to action that he was looking for. So political programmatic clarity, always in short supply with Moore, is a must.
Finally, although I didn't notice it as much on the first viewing Moore's worldview is informed by an almost Catholic Workers movement-like (formed in the old Great Depression days by Dorothy Day and others, and later included followers like the Berrigan brothers and many ex-priests and ex-nuns) sensibility. Now, as I, perhaps, have mentioned before Dorothy Day was revered in my childhood home, especially by my devout, pious poor mother. So I can thus sense, as that spark also drove part of my own social education, the origins of the quest for justice in Moore's work, if not for his conclusions. But Brother Moore that was long ago, and I was just I kid. Grownups fight, and fight hard, under a more progressive banner than the Democrats offer, or ever offered.
Good, but could have been better July 16, 2010
Newton Ooi (Phoenix, Arizona United States)
This documentary is Mr. Moore's latest commentary on the American business community. Made in the wake of the real estate bubble burst and the onset of the "Great Recession", this movie feels like a sequel to Mr. Moore's previous hit "Roger and Me". This time, he focuses on Wall Street and the major US banks. He zooms in on the TARP bailout, and highlights some of the abuses of the money. There is also a great section on how corporations often buy life insurance on their employees, betting that these employees would then die. The movie ends on a high note with a look at the Obama administration and on specific instances, it has went against big business. My only beef with this movie is its lack of citations of major laws passed with regards to corporate regulation.
Interesting, but not his best work July 16, 2010
Conrad Alan (San Francisco, CA)
"Capitalism" is interesting, but no longer as thought-provoking as his previous works. In some sense, "Capitalism" shows Michael Moore's allegiance to a country he loves. Generally, Moore (and his work) is one you will either love or hate... there is no middle ground. This movie is not his best work, but it is still stirring and somewhat informative. Some might say it is one-sided, and others will agree. The examples presented are extreme and engaging, but maybe it is what we need to motivate ourselves to do what we can to get out of the hole we are in right now. Capitalism works, and it works for the many, but capitalism works well only for the few. I probably will not recommend this movie as a "must-see." But it can be entertaining if you have an open mind.
A good doccumentary, but not his best. July 15, 2010
M. D. Fonseca (Thunder)
I liked this movie. I've watched all Michael Moore movies and, by now, I was gettin a little tired with his one-dimension remarks. He was extremely radical in denouncing other radicals, if you knwo what I mean. One side only.
In this one, he's a little bit more moderate, although still going for the jugular. In the end, what I perceive is that capitalism is not an evil; but to let capitalism live without ANY form of regulation by the government is suicide.
 So Capitalism isn't perfect... July 10, 2010
Mickey (Columbus, OH)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is Michael Moore's template for making a documentary: show some unfortunate end results of some kind of system, then dismiss the whole system outright.
What people like Moore don't take into account is human nature. He brings up the example of Jonas Salk, who selflessly worked to create a polio vaccine. Wonderful. If everyone was so unselfish and dedicated, maybe we could be communists.
He also brings up examples of companies who operate more like a co-op. I love the idea. Are there many entrepeneurs who would risk their fortunes to start a company, in which there isn't the promise of gargantuan return? I doubt it. I wish that weren't the case, but it is.
People look out for themselves and their families. Is that good or bad? I don't know. But it's reality. It's the result of eons of evolution.
Why would I take a huge risk to start a business that could fail and potentially cost me tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars? Is it because I'm like Jonas Salk, and will work tirelessly and without thought of myself, because I believe so strongly in my widget? No, it's because having more personal wealth is a good thing. It means I can travel more. I can give my kids a better education. I can retire without worrying about whether I live long enough to outlast my money.
And as a byproduct, others would benefit from my wealth. That's right, economics isn't about one pie that stays the same size, and being wealthy means I take a bigger piece of the pie, leaving others with less. Wealthy people make the pie bigger, so that everyone gets more.
I don't dismiss the examples shown in the movie...they are the unfortunate results of selfishness gone bad. Would those exact stories be replicated in another economic system, like communism? No. But if we were communists, there would be another Michael Moore making documentaries about all the unfortunate hard luck stories created by communism. I'm guessing the stories would be much worse.
If there is an economic system in which a boatload of people don't get the shaft, I'd love to hear it.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 185
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