Documentary Movie Reviews

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The Big One (1997)

Rate: 9
Viewed: 3/15

BigOne
3/15: At the start of The Big One, Michael Moore recalled a story of the following ingenious prank he pulled once upon a time:

Under the names of Hemp Growers of America, Abortionists for Buchanan, Satan Worshippers for Dole Club, and Pedophiles for Free Trade, Michael Moore respectively sent $100 checks to each of the presidential nominees: Bill Clinton, Pat Buchanan, Bob Dole, and Ross Perot. The first two were cashed. He tried again by sending a $75 check to Pat Buchanan, and this time, it was from the John Wayne Gacy Fan Club. Again, it was cashed. Michael Moore concluded his tale by saying, "Oh, we live in sick times. Sick, sick times."

Anyway, The Big One is a humorous satire about what's wrong with politicians and the machinations of Corporate America although it feels more of the same from Roger & Me. No matter how often Michael Moore points out the funny ironies, I don't feel he accomplished anything. Maybe that's the whole problem.

Let me put this in another way for a twist: what would Michael Moore do differently if he were the CEO? For example, he was begging Nike's Phil Knight to build a factory in Flint, Michigan, but Phil never budged. Therefore, what could Michael Moore do? At the end of the day, home awaits him, but the people who had been laid off and were without a steady income will get up the next day to look for work.

At least, compared to Roger & Me, Michael Moore gives a lengthy explanation of why corporations are outsourcing jobs and displays the profit margins to show how the economy works. Anyway, if it's of any solace, Borders went out of business in 2011 which is no surprise considering how expensive it was to shop there.

All in all, by the time you finish reading this review of The Big One, Steve Forbes still hasn't blinked.