This Day in Theaters: Oct. 11, 2002

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

We were all somewhat familiar with Michael Moore from his 1989 documentary "Roger & Me". It details the relationship between General Motors phasing out its factory operations in Flint, Michigan, Moore's home town, and the slow economic and societal deterioration of the area. We got a taste of Moore's style which includes presenting his views strongly with some tongue-in-cheek humor thrown in there to balance things out. In "Bowling for Columbine" he takes on the gun culture we have created here in the United States using the Columbine High School shooting as the jumping off point. He seeks to discover what could've motivated the teens responsible for the horrific massacre as well as why Americans have such a staggeringly high violent crime rate involving firearms compared to other developed countries in the world. With some interesting interviews with a range of subjects, statistics, and several examples Moore comes to the conclusion that while we may never get to the root of our obsession it sure is not a healthy way to run society.

Johnathan Curiel of the San Fransisco Chronicle:

"'Bowling for Columbine' takes a critical look at gun ownership in the United States, but it expands the debate so much -- and so well, thanks to Michael Moore's daring interviews, indelible humor and unflinching eye for detail -- that the documentary reaches an exalted level of filmmaking. It explains the very fabric of American society."

Agreeing with the overwhelming majority was also Roger Ebert:

"Michael Moore's 'Bowling for Columbine,' a documentary that is both hilarious and sorrowful...

...

In 'Bowling for Columbine,' however, he is not so sure of the answers as in the popular 'Roger & Me,' a film in which he knew who the bad guys were, and why. Here he asks questions he can't answer, such as why we as a nation seem so afraid, so in need of the reassurance of guns."

The Adonis that is Michael Moore

When this film was released there was a lot of positive buzz around it and I found it to be quite justified. Moore took a stab at a somewhat taboo issue in America and did a damn good job. The film had a great flow to it and kind of kick-started the documentary renaissance we experienced at the early part of the 2000s. On a $4 million budget "Bowling for Columbine" posted a $58 million gross primarily because it held both informational and entertainment value. It showed us that documentaries can be informative and fun. I know it sounds odd saying a movie about gun violence is fun but that is what I think Moore does best; he takes serious subjects and presents them in such a way you forget you are watching a documentary. Now their have been a few cries that a scene or two may have been edited or staged to assist in Moore making his point but he isn't shy about his views from the get go so it really doesn't take anything away from the overall message or enjoyment. Do yourself a favor and go pick this one up and give it a shot as you don't have to be a documentary buff to enjoy it for what it is: a good film.

IMDb Score: 8.1

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%