After taking on General Motors and GM CEO Roger Smith in his groundbreaking 1989 film, "Roger and Me," documentary filmmaker Michael Moore sets off to do the same with corporations all across America in "The Big One." Part investigative reporter, social commentator, and definitely a frustrated standup comedian, Moore delivers a film that will make you laugh (a lot) and think (hopefully more) about the current state of downsizing in corporate America.
In fact, this film -- shot in Moore's trademark guerilla-like style, with shaky and occasionally out of focus footage -- might just be one of the year's funniest movies. Whether telling anecdotes about his experiences or sardonically discussing some event or person, Moore elicits some the biggest laughs I've heard from an audience in some time.
An exceptionally funny bit involves Moore's sarcastic investigation into whether former presidential candidate Steve Forbes is really a space alien. Using voice-over and various interviews and citing that no one knows when the magazine entrepreneur was born or where he's from, Moore is particularly disturbed by the fact that Forbes doesn't ever blink (demonstrated by a hilarious bit of footage from a real interview). Moore even comments that a doctor he later "interviewed" said, "Well, that's not human."
Of course Moore knows that using comedy and making people laugh not only endears an audience to the "comedian," but it's also a useful tool to use when teaching or "educating" people. The best part is that much of the humor comes from the absurd situations he's encountered. Telling a story about sending a check to then candidate Ross Perot from the "Pedophiles For Free Trade," Moore talks about receiving a form letter back from the campaign office that wanted to thank him and his "fellow pedophiles" for their support.
Moore also has a sly wit about him, and when interviewing a Payday candy bar executive "off camera," we see him munching away on one of their products. At another company, he presents the representative with a check for eighty cents to pay the first hour of work the company's new Mexican employees (who have replaced the higher-paid American workers) will be making. Finally, after badgering executives of another company about their business practices, he ends by talking about really liking their laundry detergent because he always forgets to separate the colors from the whites.
Despite the comedy, Moore definitely has an ax to grind -- albeit one with a seemingly reasonable excuse, at least the way he's presented it here. Not one to back down from a confrontation and certainly not afraid to speak his mind, Moore's blatant, strong pro-union stance may put off some viewers. Even so, his self-deprecating style makes his message easy to swallow or tolerate (depending on your stance), and his travails are always entertaining and engaging to watch.
Obviously, one should take the "facts" he presents with a grain of salt since even so-called neutral journalists often bend or distort the truth to get the desired effect. Since Moore is so blatant in his approach and goal, you occasionally get the suspicion that the film and its footage of the corporate "evil doers" have been selectively shot and edited to his advantage. Obviously, that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone and even so, his point is always compelling.
It's his film of course, and Moore can make it anyway he wants. As long as viewers don't unquestionably accept everything as the whole truth and nothing but the truth, they should find this film to be a thought-provoking experience. Additionally, since of most of us fall closer to the group with which Moore sympathizes than the one he chastises, he certainly endears himself and his message to most moviegoers.
Part "Sixty Minutes" investigation, part "Seinfeldian" social commentary and humor, this is probably one of the better films you'll see this year. Any time a movie can prod your mind as much as your funny bone, you know it has succeeded. We highly enjoyed the film and give "The Big One" an 8 out of 10.
![[Screen It]](https://www.screenit.com/images/screenit_subscriber_logo.jpg){kind=logo}
![[Around the World in 80 Days]](https://www.screenit.com/images/posters/movies/around_the_world_in_80_days_2022_small.jpg)
![[Family Camp]](https://www.screenit.com/images/posters/movies/family_camp_small.jpg)
![[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]](https://www.screenit.com/images/posters/movies/doctor_strange_in_the_multiverse_of_madness_small.jpg)