It's a good thing Michael Moore became a filmmaker instead of a surgeon. If he was practicing medicine, Moore would probably have used a saw instead of a scalpel as his favorite implement, and he certainly would have left numerous wounds open and unstitched.
However, Moore's peculiar . . . or should we say heavy-handed? . . . methods have served him well in the arena of documentary filmmaking. He's already used his trademark badgering interview style and sarcastic humor to confront corporate greed in the documentaries "Roger and Me" and "The Big One," as well as the television series "TV Nation" and "The Awful Truth."
"Bowling for Columbine" may be what he's been building toward. It's decidedly less flippant than his previous works, which is not to say that it's completely without sarcasm and badgering. But it's much more solemn and serious — and therefore better — than anything he's made to date.
There have been complaints in some corners about Moore being unfair in some of the film's interviews, and such accusations don't hold water. No one goes unindicted here, which is probably for the best. And if you're not nearly moved to tears by a couple of scenes, you've got ice water in your veins. (Be warned that there is newsreel footage of warfare and domestic violence that will almost certainly disturb sensitive viewers.)
In "Bowling for Columbine," Moore attempts to explain why, as a country, America is so much more violent than most of its neighbors. He starts by investigating the connection between his hometown, Flint, Mich., and the Columbine school shootings.
It turns out that the two shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, were products of impoverished suburban Michigan, an area that also produced the Michigan Militia (an organization tentatively linked with the 1995 bombing of the
Oklahoma City federal building).
Then Moore turns his camera on shock-rocker Marilyn Manson (Harris and Klebold allegedly listened to his music). And the longtime member of the National Rifle Association also confronts NRA spokesman Charlton Heston about a decision to hold pro-gun rallies just days after tragedies such as the one in Columbine.
The film has its share of horrifying and upsetting moments, but it also has the year's single most sublime moment, as Moore and two Columbine shooting victims attempt to persuade Kmart stores to stop selling ammunition.
"Bowling for Columbine" is rated R for graphic, archival film of violence (including surveillance-camera footage from the Columbine High School shootings), occasional use of strong sex-related profanity and racial epithets. Running time: 122 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com