Fahrenheit 9/11

Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 was a unique documentary. I had never seen any of Moore's films. I really enjoyed the way he presented some of his points and the way he riduculed what he believes led up to 9/11. Moore included a lot of interviews, images of old films, and of course his voice overs, which is the main element he uses to bring his sarcastic points accross. His use of sarcasm was effective. For example, the director makes fun of Bush's train of thought when informed America had been attacked by voicing over in a skeptical, sarcastic tone what Moore belived the president thought. One of the things I focused on was the appearance of American soldiers. Just like in "Hearts and Minds" our soldiers were portrayed standing, singing, moving, even taking pictures with victims. I had not noticed this trend in American films or war-related literature. Even when the film shows dead American soldiers all the audience sees is the beautiful green cemetary filled with white tombstones.

I did notice the tone and structure of the documentary was varied. It first started with a very sarcastic tone as it presented the issue and explained the situation. Then it took on a more sad, serious tone as Moore interviewed parents of soldiers and followed them around to show their grief. For instance, Moore did not use sarcasm during the time a veteran's mom read one of the letters her son sent her. The film then picked up the sarcasm once again. I did feel Moore's act of bringing the sarcastic pitch down during the time parents and other family members were being interviewed was an appropriate thing to do. If Moore had continued using it, he would have seemed unbelievably disrespectful and like too much of a jerk.

Also, the inclusion of different types of music made the film even funnier because the specific songs poked fun at the situation in a very explicit manner. For example, the song that plays when Moore talks about Bush's connections with the Saudis ridicules Bush and his actions. The song itself is a happy song. The lyrics include phrases like "very happy people holding hands..." This phrase plays when Moore shows a picture of the Bush family shaking hands with the Saudis in various ocassions.

My favorite part was when Moore went around asking congressmen to enlist their children. The expressions of the congressmen and their flight reactions to the question were funny and appalling at the same time. The funny aspect of it depicted Moore's style. The flight reaction showed the fact that war is supported by some only as long as it does not come into too much proximity to them and as long as it is somehow profitable to them.