Capitalism: A Love Story Directed by: Michael Moore Cast: Michael Moore, Wallace Shawn Running Time: 2 hrs 5 mins Rating: R Release Date: October, 2 2009

PLOT: This documentary tackles capitalism in America and how we've gone from the American dream to corporate dominance.

WHO'S IT FOR? Moore lovers, though I would say I was close to that group beforehand. Anyone that needs to wake up and pay attention to the struggles that the majority of the middle and lower class are going through ... unfortunately they probably won't be willing to see this film. I actually can't recall why this film would be rated R. Maybe it was language.

EXPECTATIONS: I have read one Moore book, and I've happily gobbled up his previous documentaries. I really liked Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11 ... I loved Sicko. Moore tackling the economy is something I (and many Americans) was ready for.

SCORECARD (0-10)

ACTORS: Michael Moore: Normally for a documentary, I would delete the word "actors" and simply talk about the individuals we meet along the way. No dice here. Moore has jumped the shark. He mugs for the camera and his sing-song voice over somehow belittles the possibility of an intelligent conversation. Glen Beck (not in this film) is the extreme of this, it doesn't matter what Beck is saying, it's all about the delivery. But when you bring a message, what you are saying should reign supreme. In Sicko, Moore headed to Gitmo with patients, and while it was over the top, it still could hook the audience because of the unknown factor of it all. But now, holding a big bag, asking companies for cash ... it just doesn't do anything positive or exciting. Score: 4

Wallace Shawn: This had to be a slight nod to My Dinner with Andre right? How does this not get brought up? Inconceivable! This is a man who should have been front and center for the voice over or intelligent man perspective, whatever you want. Score: 8

TALKING: There is such a wide spectrum of conversations here, from a man understanding why someone would rob a bank, to Franklin Roosevelt giving a speech on the future of this country. Moore attacks Reagan a little more than the left, and does a pretty good job showing ties between Wall Street and our government. The greatness lies in uncovering the unknown, like when we discover that companies have secret life insurance policies on their employees. The whole film is a smattering attack, so while it's all over the place, like a shotgun spray of pellets ... enough hit to where you feel the impact. Score: 7

SIGHTS: We saw people get evicted, but without knowing the details of each individual case, besides the fact that they lived in the home for a while, it didn't have the emotional impact Moore was going for. Putting Wall Street on notice with yellow police tape ... bush league. Score: 4

SOUNDS: In past documentaries, Moore's musical choices liven up the film and take it to a new emotional level. Unfortunately, that really doesn't happen here. It's all forgettable. Score: 5

PLOT SPOILERS

BEST SCENE: It's all about the 2nd Bill of Rights for me. It's a glossed over part of our history that had the potential to move this country into a direction that 90 percent of us could be extremely happy/content with, and it crushes me.

ENDING: I still feel passionate, but that's because I know there is a problem, not because Moore told me, or gave me a next step. Fired up and no where to go is not a pleasant state of mind.

QUESTIONS: Does Moore even consider passing the torch with a different face or voice front and center, and him simply seated behind the camera?

REWATCHABILITY: Yes, but on second viewing I don't know what will get my goat (that's a saying, right?) more ... Moore wasting time with his mugging OR the actual state of affairs in America.

OVERALL

The goal of a Michael Moore documentary is to wake up a certain part of the audience and make them aware of the actual world around them. Passion should be created. It is with Capitalism, but now there is something new to accompany it ... an annoyance toward Moore. He actually says "I told them," when trying to explain he had the right point of view years ago, and he knew bad things were coming. It used to be that I felt Moore brought people together with a message, but here it seems he mainly cares about leading the way, or getting credit for being worried. The man picks on security guards, puts up police tape and under explains why people have actually lost their house. The best of the film is when a Chicago factory does an old fashion sit-in. The reason bad things happen? It's capitalism. That's it. No more. At the end of this film, I want to make a difference, but I also want no Moore for a while.

FINAL SCORE: 6/10