English Communications - Bowling for Columbine

For those viewers more analytical of a film in particular those who are aware of American culture and history, some of what is portrayed in "Bowling for Columbine" can be seen as misleading information. This in itself suggests that Moore is perhaps directing "Bowling for Columbine" towards the general society to merely open people eyes to what happens outside their own communities. However in many people's opinions deception and exaggerated facts should not be the method of approach. A clear example of Moore contradicting authenticity is at the arrangement of the interview with Charles Heston (President of National Rifle Association). Heston directed Moore for an interview at 8:30am. However the next morning, supposedly when we see the interview the clock directly behind Heston indicates 6:15. This suggests Moore may have been with Heston at 8:30 onwards planning the interview. Heston is also manipulated when Moore shows him rallying for the NRA. Moore edits and splices Hestons speech for the rally to portray Heston as an inconsiderate and sadistic. This is evident when Heston shirt changed from one piece of footage to the next yet was supposedly the same speech.

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Another clear example of Moore's twisted logic is where he blamed the death of a six year-old girl caused by gun held by a boy the same age on a work-for-welfare program. A more likely culprit would be the uncle who didn't keep his gun safely locked away from the youngster who brought it to school and fired it. Strangely, Moore never addresses the issue of gun responsibility and safety.

The camera changes everything, etc., so in video there can be no truth or falsity. Sample: "tv and movies, newspapers or even documentaries *are* constructions, not "the truth" ("truth" is subjective personal opinion/experience, which would be impossible to commit to videotape or celluloid)."

... This certainly raises questions of the authenticity of Bowling for Columbine in turn leaving bowling for columbine open to discussion as to whether doco or fiction.

M M presents his views....

Eventually, after conducting various interviews and hopping around the country (and out of it), Moore suggests that fear, enhanced by the media's obsession with death and violent crime, may be the root cause of America's death-by-gun problem. Americans are frightened. They live in gated communities and lock their doors at night. They sleep with loaded guns under their pillows because only a firearm at-ready gives them a sense of security. Fear makes people jumpy and apprehensive, and more apt to resort to violence. And there's no cure for it. It is a societal ill that is perpetuated by the evening news and reality TV shows like "Cops".

Once in a while, Moore goes down a rat hole. He tries, with limited success, to blame the death of a six year-old girl on a work-for-welfare program. If you follow his convoluted logic, it makes a certain kind of sense, but he's stretching things. A more likely culprit is the uncle who didn't keep his gun safely locked away from the youngster who brought it to school and fired it. Strangely, Moore never addresses the issue of gun responsibility and safety.

Moore engages in his share of grandstanding stunts, one of which surprisingly pays off. He brings two Columbine survivors to the Michigan headquarters of K-Mart (the ammunition used to shoot them was purchased at a K-Mart store), and asks if the boys can return the bullets that are still in their bodies. The next day, K-Mart announces that, after a 90-day phase out period, it will no longer be selling ammunition. Moore is flabbergasted.

I can predict with a large degree of certainty that Bowling for Columbine will outrage viewers whose political leanings are conservative. In addition to portraying many gun owners in an unflattering light, Moore insinuates that the CIA was indirectly responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (a view that is bound to be unpopular, regardless of how it is presented). The film is at times laugh-aloud, viciously funny (provided you aren't among Moore's targets). But, above all, no matter how much you love or despise the messenger and his means, there's no denying that the message bears consideration and rumination. Imperfect as it may be, Bowling for Columbine is riveting stuff.

To summarize Moore explores possible causes like racial tension, violent music and the media, occasionally with humor, often with brash, ambush-journalism techniques, always with an unquenchable curiosity. "Bowling for Columbine" is a record of Moore's attempt to find answers. As a documentary of a man's search for clarity, and regardless of one's own politics.