It may be only 5 months into 2006 but I doubt a more important film will open this year than An Inconvenient Truth. Al Gore narrates this fascinating look at global warming from a series of powerpoint presentations he has made around the world. The film is chock full of facts and numbers as well as some incredible photographs that beautifully explain the thesis of the film. It is so well paced and alot of information is given but done in a way that never overwhelms you because the film cuts away from the presentation to let you absorb what you have seen.
The presentation is interspersed with scenes of Gore traveling to various countries as well as his home in Tennessee to show how the information is personal to us as well as to him. There are so many alarming facts but the film is also positive in that he believes we can change the outcome if we act quickly and positively. He reiterates that solving global warming can create jobs and pave the way for future growth on the planet. He gives time to animals and insects as well as humans to show how the warming affects everything. Director Davis Guggenheim has done a masterful job in opening up the film beyond the classroom and pacing the film perfectly.
This is the Al Gore we longed to see in 2000, relaxed, confident and warm. He is immersed in this topic and the news footage shows how he has been for 30 years now. I’m still trying to decide if he didn’t bring this up enough or if the media and the public weren’t listening when he did, probably a bit of both.
Just as Republicans like to say September 11th changed everything (their code phrase for doing anything they please in the name of “national security”) Hurricane Katrina is the national disaster that changed everything for Democrats. It showed the terrible job the Bush Administration did in responding to that tragic event and reminded the nation that global warming is not a theory, it is a scientific reality. We now expect major storms again this summer after a horrible tornado season and this will only keep the subject front and center in the national arena.
If you want to find out when the film opens in your town CLICK HERE.
The film was playing at 3 screens at the Cinema in lower Manhattan and they have been packed round the clock since it opened on Friday. The audience applauded more than once during the showing and there was a wonderful round of applause at the end as most stayed in their seats during the closing credits.
A powerful film indeed.
waiting for your review, wilfred, many thanks! The opening here won’t come soon enough for me, I plan on taking a few of my friends to go watch and support Al’s efforts to wake up the masses to the horror we have unleashed by destroying our earth.
the cool thing is that i’ve read a ton on the subject and there was still alot that i didn’t know. i think you’ll enjoy it alot Manny!
I have warned my DH that I plan to twist his arm to go with me (I earned some arm twisting credit because I went to see a submarine and a battleship with him while we were in Hawaii). I would see it in any case, but I am glad to hear that it is engaging, and not just an unpleasant duty.
you can sign the pledge to see the movie. They have 133,577 out of a goal of 1 million so if you’ve seen it, or plan to soon, show some support (there’s also blog icons available for download which I’ll be adding soon to my pad)
I’ll head over there and sign the pledge, as I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the film. That is one that I will go see opening night here, and the only things we’ve done that for in the last year or two were Fahrenheit 911, The Devil’s Rejects and Brokeback Mountain, lol.
I managed to see the Gore presentation on LinkTV a few months ago, and taped it… it was very sobering and downright frightening. I expect the film will be a much expanded version of that one, though the one I saw was filmed right before Hurricane Katrina, and Gore’s talking about stronger, more destructive hurricanes coming really hit home. I think this one was done in June, 2005, so he was eerily prescient, as always.
Thanks for the great review Wilfred! Always appreciate getting your early view of things, since this will likely be a couple of months before it comes here. Though it is already booked for one of the local art house cinemas, they just haven’t announced the play dates yet.
Did you click on the link at the bottom of my review? They have play dates for Ames, Des Moines and Iowa City in June.
I haven’t been back there for a week or so, but have been to the site previously. Last I looked there were no firm dates yet listed. And the Fleur Cinema where it will play here hasn’t announced any dates as of the last few days. I’ll just keep checking, as I know it will play at least that one cinema here in Des Moines.
Believe me, if ever a film was “pre-sold,” this one is for us!
it opens on at the Fleur on June 23rd. Pencil in the date!
Thanks for doing that bit of homework for me. Though there’s no chance I’d miss seeing the listing for this. Bless the Fleur Cafe/Cinema… they’re the real breath of fresh film air in this city… there are others, but none as progressive as these folks. A classy place, converted from an old 4-plex from the 70’s… you can buy the usual stuff (candy and such), or nice pastries, sandwiches, wine, beer and all sorts of waters, coffee, etc. Not many places do such classy stuff around here, lol. Not that we’re provincial or anything, nah…
i just googled the Fleur and it looks great. Lots of good art and foreign films. I liked “L’Enfant” and “Kinky Boots” which are both there. Glad Des Moines has a cool progressive cinema.
I had the chance to see Gore’s slide show in March 2005 at the University of Tennessee while they were ironing out the bugs before filming the movie. Here’s what I wrote at Big Orange:
Mrs. K.P. and I plan to take a mini-vacation to Ashville or Raleigh to see the movie if they don’t announce a screening date in Knoxville soon.
June 23rd in Knoxville at the Downtown West theater, although it does open in Raleigh on the 16th.
That is the way the film begins and ends although about 1/4 of the footage is outside that classroom now which opens up the film alot as it shows Gore traveling around the world which brings home the global message.
Excellent News! Thanks for letting me know.
And Downtown West is close enough to me that I could actually walk or bicycle to it. ;-D