Michael Moore admittedly comes from a humble background. He grew up in Flint, Michigan in a working class family and was raised in the Catholic church. His family lived comfortably due to the good union jobs that were available at that time. But now the world has changed, and most of the manufacturing jobs have left the country, leaving many people desperate and dejected. Moore's film evinces anger, frustration, and laughter as he interacts with both the average Joe and the corporate elite.
Using standard Moore tactics of embarrassing those in power, he delivers checks for the whopping sums of $0.80, the price paid to a third world worker for an hour of labor. Moore goes on a book tour to promote his book, Downsize This, and runs into the changing face of America. The original music score was written and performed by The World Famous Blue Jays. Their music adds just the right touch to the film, which vaccilates between poignant individual stories and laugh-out-loud humor that keeps the film in the entertainment zone so aptly.
Michael Moore Reveals Problems in Middle America with Downsizing
Moore is a master at challenging people's hypocrisy. As one man states that this movement of jobs overseas is "part of the system," and that shareholders have to be pleased, Moore queries where it mentions shareholders in the Constitution. Stating that the Constitution states that the nation is for the PEOPLE, he appears to be trying to get the attention of people and remind them of the principles from which we have strayed.
Meeting people who have been laid off, who are working two jobs and still unable to make ends meet, Moore begins challenging the CEOs of major corporations by giving them "gifts" of paltry checks to help out with the puny salaries they pay their overseas workers. One company, Proctor and Gamble, admitted to $6 billion in profits while they were laying off their employees.
The Big One Highlights Economic Injustice and Corporate Welfarism
Whether it is Tommy Thompson, a public official who complains about welfare mothers while supporting corporate welfarism or TWA for using the California Youth Authority to schedule appointments and save money, Moore seems to delight in showing Americans how very crazy this life has become.
Yet despite the corporate ruling class that is highlighted in the films, Moore's love of the average American and his faith in their ability to once again improve the sorry state of affairs that joblessness brings gives this film heart. Meanwhile, Moore himself becomes part of the corporate mill as his books hit high on the charts and his profits continue making him a wealthy man. A delightful film for Michael Moore fans or for anyone concerned about the plight of the working man or woman in America.
- 91 minutes
- Movie site
- Miramax Home Entertainment
- Broadbank Broadcasting
- Dog Eat Dog Films
- Audience Award, Aspen Filmfest 1997
- Boston Society of Film Critics Award, 1998, Best Documentary
- People's Choice Award, Best Documentary, 1997
- Kansas City Film Critics Circle, Best Dooumentary 1999
- Online Film Critics Society Awards, Best Documentary, 1999
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